﻿1
00:00:04,067 --> 00:00:06,133
-Hello.
I'm Brian Callanan.

2
00:00:06,133 --> 00:00:07,667
After months of debate,

3
00:00:07,667 --> 00:00:10,334
the city council has finally
passed legislation

4
00:00:10,334 --> 00:00:12,501
on public drug use
and possession.

5
00:00:12,501 --> 00:00:14,634
Will officers be making
more arrests?

6
00:00:14,634 --> 00:00:16,434
Are there enough
drug treatment services

7
00:00:16,434 --> 00:00:17,801
for those
who need help?

8
00:00:17,801 --> 00:00:19,434
And it's budget time.

9
00:00:19,434 --> 00:00:22,701
What issues are shaping up
as top priorities for the city?

10
00:00:22,701 --> 00:00:24,701
Plus, are you ready
for a new way to vote

11
00:00:24,701 --> 00:00:26,434
for city council members?

12
00:00:26,434 --> 00:00:28,534
I'm talking with
citywide council member

13
00:00:28,534 --> 00:00:30,334
Sara Nelson
about these questions

14
00:00:30,334 --> 00:00:33,968
and the ones you're sending in,
too, next on "Council Edition."

15
00:00:33,968 --> 00:00:36,667
-It doesn't really matter
who is paying the check

16
00:00:36,667 --> 00:00:38,400
at a small business
downtown,

17
00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:40,934
whether or not they're on
vacation or on business travel,

18
00:00:40,934 --> 00:00:43,601
that helps our
small businesses downtown

19
00:00:43,601 --> 00:00:44,801
and throughout
the city.

20
00:00:44,801 --> 00:00:46,901
-It's all next
on "Council Edition."

21
00:00:46,901 --> 00:00:53,100
♪♪

22
00:00:53,100 --> 00:00:59,267
♪♪

23
00:00:59,267 --> 00:01:05,534
♪♪

24
00:01:05,534 --> 00:01:06,934
And here she is,

25
00:01:06,934 --> 00:01:09,868
Citywide Council Position
nine Councilmember Sara Nelson.

26
00:01:09,868 --> 00:01:11,000
Very good to have you
with me.

27
00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:12,400
Thanks for being here.
How are you doing?

28
00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:13,901
-Thanks for having
me back.

29
00:01:13,901 --> 00:01:14,934
I'm doing well.
How are you?

30
00:01:14,934 --> 00:01:15,934
-I'm great.
I'm great.

31
00:01:15,934 --> 00:01:17,267
Thank you for making time
for this.

32
00:01:17,267 --> 00:01:18,767
I want to jump into
the ordinance

33
00:01:18,767 --> 00:01:21,200
that the city has been working
on over the past several months

34
00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:23,734
to make public drug use
or drug possession

35
00:01:23,734 --> 00:01:26,100
gross misdemeanors,
in line with state law.

36
00:01:26,100 --> 00:01:28,300
And just two concepts
to bring home, here, folks --

37
00:01:28,300 --> 00:01:31,334
this law intends to give
officers more clarity as to

38
00:01:31,334 --> 00:01:33,667
when they can make an arrest,
asking them to determine

39
00:01:33,667 --> 00:01:36,133
if a person is causing harm
to the public.

40
00:01:36,133 --> 00:01:39,033
The new law would also invest
more in drug treatment options

41
00:01:39,033 --> 00:01:41,100
for people
dealing with addiction.

42
00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:43,167
Now, you've been talking about
legislation like this

43
00:01:43,167 --> 00:01:44,868
since April --
the end of April, there.

44
00:01:44,868 --> 00:01:46,801
You held a press conference
with city attorney

45
00:01:46,801 --> 00:01:49,200
Anne Davison,
Councilmember Peterson.

46
00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,467
Looking back
on what you proposed then

47
00:01:51,467 --> 00:01:54,200
and what the council
is working on right now,

48
00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:55,434
did the Council
get it right?

49
00:01:55,434 --> 00:01:57,200
Some thoughts
about that?

50
00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:59,467
-Well, it's interesting,
because what we proposed

51
00:01:59,467 --> 00:02:04,968
initially was to prohibit public
use as a simple misdemeanor.

52
00:02:04,968 --> 00:02:06,300
So, it is interesting
to me

53
00:02:06,300 --> 00:02:09,734
that we're going -- that --
in following state law,

54
00:02:09,734 --> 00:02:11,167
we're about to make
possession

55
00:02:11,167 --> 00:02:13,667
and public use
a gross misdemeanor.

56
00:02:13,667 --> 00:02:16,400
The conversation has changed
since back then.

57
00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:21,767
And I am simply glad
that we are finally doing

58
00:02:21,767 --> 00:02:26,167
what we need to do all along,
which is conform with state law,

59
00:02:26,167 --> 00:02:31,067
and provide another incentive
for people to get into treatment

60
00:02:31,067 --> 00:02:35,234
and -- and finally address
this problem head-on.

61
00:02:35,234 --> 00:02:36,601
-Got it.

62
00:02:36,601 --> 00:02:37,968
And what has changed,
in terms of that discussion?

63
00:02:37,968 --> 00:02:41,033
You mentioned that it's --
that that rhetoric, I guess,

64
00:02:41,033 --> 00:02:42,100
has changed
a little bit.

65
00:02:42,100 --> 00:02:43,334
How would you
describe that?

66
00:02:43,334 --> 00:02:44,567
-Sure.

67
00:02:44,567 --> 00:02:46,267
Well, this is all occurred
within the backdrop

68
00:02:46,267 --> 00:02:48,133
of what was going on
in Olympia.

69
00:02:48,133 --> 00:02:52,000
So, the legislation that
City Attorney Davidson,

70
00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:55,367
Councilmember Peters,
and I put forward in April,

71
00:02:55,367 --> 00:02:57,234
we put that forward
about three days

72
00:02:57,234 --> 00:03:01,501
after the legislature closed
without a resolution.

73
00:03:01,501 --> 00:03:03,267
-There was that special
session that needed to happen.

74
00:03:03,267 --> 00:03:04,467
That's right.
-Right.

75
00:03:04,467 --> 00:03:06,868
And then, there was rumor
that the governor

76
00:03:06,868 --> 00:03:08,868
was going to call
a special session.

77
00:03:08,868 --> 00:03:12,167
And so, the initial --
within a week of or of the --

78
00:03:12,167 --> 00:03:13,300
of our announcement,

79
00:03:13,300 --> 00:03:15,901
my councilmember colleagues
were saying

80
00:03:15,901 --> 00:03:17,901
"We can't do
anything now,

81
00:03:17,901 --> 00:03:22,334
because we need to wait until
the special session resolves,

82
00:03:22,334 --> 00:03:23,868
because we don't want to be
out of alignment

83
00:03:23,868 --> 00:03:26,834
with other jurisdictions
and state law."

84
00:03:26,834 --> 00:03:28,167
And so, we thought, "Okay."

85
00:03:28,167 --> 00:03:29,901
So, then,
they came out with the --

86
00:03:29,901 --> 00:03:32,000
with the new law
making it a gross misdemeanor.

87
00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,901
We resubmitted simple
conforming legislation.

88
00:03:34,901 --> 00:03:35,901
-Right.

89
00:03:35,901 --> 00:03:37,334
-But then
the conversation changed.

90
00:03:37,334 --> 00:03:39,868
We were trying to conform
with state law

91
00:03:39,868 --> 00:03:45,067
and neighboring jurisdictions,
but the conversation shifted to,

92
00:03:45,067 --> 00:03:47,234
"Well..."

93
00:03:47,234 --> 00:03:48,501
You know,
some people were saying,

94
00:03:48,501 --> 00:03:49,934
"Just let's not do this
at all."

95
00:03:49,934 --> 00:03:51,801
And other people were saying
"It's another war on drugs."

96
00:03:51,801 --> 00:03:53,934
Other people were saying that
we -- we don't have

97
00:03:53,934 --> 00:03:56,534
the the system set up
for diversion.

98
00:03:56,534 --> 00:03:59,400
So, that's what I mean when
I say the conversation shifted.

99
00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:02,167
But from the get go,
I've been clear

100
00:04:02,167 --> 00:04:05,868
that what's happening right now
isn't working,

101
00:04:05,868 --> 00:04:09,300
because we have
skyrocketing overdoses

102
00:04:09,300 --> 00:04:10,868
from fentanyl
and other drugs.

103
00:04:10,868 --> 00:04:14,767
And so, we have got to do
something soon to address this.

104
00:04:14,767 --> 00:04:16,067
-Thank you.

105
00:04:16,067 --> 00:04:17,067
I'm gonna dive into
some of those different points

106
00:04:17,067 --> 00:04:18,434
you were bringing up here,

107
00:04:18,434 --> 00:04:20,033
because you were working on
an amendment with this law

108
00:04:20,033 --> 00:04:21,834
that removed the requirement
for officers

109
00:04:21,834 --> 00:04:24,367
to make a reasonable attempt
to get services

110
00:04:24,367 --> 00:04:26,734
for someone using drugs
before arresting them.

111
00:04:26,734 --> 00:04:28,467
Some people, I know,
have concerns about this,

112
00:04:28,467 --> 00:04:29,534
and I know
you've heard them.

113
00:04:29,534 --> 00:04:30,868
One writer put it
this way --

114
00:04:30,868 --> 00:04:33,067
"Very sad how the changes
in the language

115
00:04:33,067 --> 00:04:35,100
simply move
the discretionary action

116
00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:37,167
down to the level of
the police officer.

117
00:04:37,167 --> 00:04:39,501
We've all seen how
their discretion seems to go."

118
00:04:39,501 --> 00:04:41,167
I know some people
see it differently.

119
00:04:41,167 --> 00:04:43,634
This writer, not supportive
of giving police this much --

120
00:04:43,634 --> 00:04:45,534
this much discretion
in these cases.

121
00:04:45,534 --> 00:04:47,033
Help me out
with this amendment.

122
00:04:47,033 --> 00:04:48,100
Why did you make it?

123
00:04:48,100 --> 00:04:50,734
What do you think
it's going to accomplish?

124
00:04:50,734 --> 00:04:55,501
-First of all, by writing
the assessment of the threat

125
00:04:55,501 --> 00:04:58,067
to harm to others
directly into the law,

126
00:04:58,067 --> 00:05:01,868
we've still got the judgment
of the officer center stage.

127
00:05:01,868 --> 00:05:03,000
-Right.
-Okay?

128
00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:08,000
And I was concerned that if --
if that --

129
00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,200
you know, if the...

130
00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:14,400
it would be very easy to --
to -- to have --

131
00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:16,467
although they will have probable
cause to make an arrest --

132
00:05:16,467 --> 00:05:17,534
-Right. Right.

133
00:05:17,534 --> 00:05:19,200
That needs to happen first.
-Right.

134
00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:22,767
-Those cases
could be considered...

135
00:05:22,767 --> 00:05:26,601
They could be dismissed
before even going to trial.

136
00:05:26,601 --> 00:05:30,901
Mind you, trial and jail,
all of that is not the goal.

137
00:05:30,901 --> 00:05:35,000
But if the legitimacy of the --
of the arrest

138
00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:37,667
turns on the decision making
of the officer,

139
00:05:37,667 --> 00:05:39,000
that complicates things.

140
00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:40,400
-I see.

141
00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:43,634
-And it also -- I said
from the get go, on August 14th,

142
00:05:43,634 --> 00:05:47,634
that if the --
if the judgment of the officer

143
00:05:47,634 --> 00:05:52,334
is, um, is basically
subject to dispute,

144
00:05:52,334 --> 00:05:53,968
then we could be
opening ourselves up

145
00:05:53,968 --> 00:05:56,133
to charges of
biased policing.

146
00:05:56,133 --> 00:05:59,934
So, either way, I thought that
that was a complicating factor.

147
00:05:59,934 --> 00:06:04,634
It's less so by removing
the mandatory directive.

148
00:06:04,634 --> 00:06:07,067
In other words,
there is still discretion.

149
00:06:07,067 --> 00:06:11,434
Even without putting that
into the law, officers --

150
00:06:11,434 --> 00:06:15,767
their actions are based on
their discretion every day.

151
00:06:15,767 --> 00:06:20,467
And so, therefore, I was trying
to remove risk to the city.

152
00:06:20,467 --> 00:06:21,501
-I see.

153
00:06:21,501 --> 00:06:22,567
Rather than make it
too prescriptive,

154
00:06:22,567 --> 00:06:24,567
allow officers
to make the decision,

155
00:06:24,567 --> 00:06:27,634
which can include this idea of
diversion treatment, et cetera.

156
00:06:27,634 --> 00:06:28,968
-Absolutely.

157
00:06:28,968 --> 00:06:31,701
We -- I think there is
widespread agreement that --

158
00:06:31,701 --> 00:06:33,767
that...

159
00:06:33,767 --> 00:06:35,534
an officer
intervention,

160
00:06:35,534 --> 00:06:39,567
the goal is to
allow for stopping

161
00:06:39,567 --> 00:06:41,667
potentially negative behavior
right in the moment,

162
00:06:41,667 --> 00:06:43,968
and then
helping steward

163
00:06:43,968 --> 00:06:47,000
that person into
a diversion program.

164
00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:48,434
-Thank you for that.

165
00:06:48,434 --> 00:06:50,033
And I want to talk about those
programs just a little bit,

166
00:06:50,033 --> 00:06:51,567
because the mayor
has certainly been calling for

167
00:06:51,567 --> 00:06:53,767
more treatment options,
diversion services,

168
00:06:53,767 --> 00:06:55,601
to help deal with
our drug crisis.

169
00:06:55,601 --> 00:06:57,734
I know the challenge is
how you pay for them.

170
00:06:57,734 --> 00:06:58,934
Councilmember Mosqueda
brought up

171
00:06:58,934 --> 00:07:00,534
this concern
at a recent meeting,

172
00:07:00,534 --> 00:07:02,100
pointing out that
two major services

173
00:07:02,100 --> 00:07:03,601
the city
refers people to --

174
00:07:03,601 --> 00:07:05,501
LEAD, Let Everyone Advance
with Dignity,

175
00:07:05,501 --> 00:07:08,133
and PDA, Purpose, Dignity,
and Action --

176
00:07:08,133 --> 00:07:10,167
have been operating
with one-time funding

177
00:07:10,167 --> 00:07:11,467
for the past
several years.

178
00:07:11,467 --> 00:07:14,534
-If we don't fill this
funding gap, it will harm

179
00:07:14,534 --> 00:07:17,434
LEAD and PDA's ability
to accept referrals,

180
00:07:17,434 --> 00:07:20,267
which are the centerpiece of
what supposedly makes this bill

181
00:07:20,267 --> 00:07:24,868
different from previously --
previous iterations.

182
00:07:24,868 --> 00:07:26,100
-Councilmember Nelson,

183
00:07:26,100 --> 00:07:27,667
I just want to get your thoughts
about funding

184
00:07:27,667 --> 00:07:29,434
for these diversion
and treatment programs.

185
00:07:29,434 --> 00:07:31,133
How do you fund them now
and into the future?

186
00:07:31,133 --> 00:07:33,133
This is a very important
part of this.

187
00:07:33,133 --> 00:07:35,701
-I appreciate
that question.

188
00:07:35,701 --> 00:07:38,667
The fact is that every other
municipality in the state

189
00:07:38,667 --> 00:07:42,400
of Washington has confirmed,
by now, to state law.

190
00:07:42,400 --> 00:07:44,634
And I'm sure that they --
many of them

191
00:07:44,634 --> 00:07:46,934
are cash-strapped
to pay for diversion,

192
00:07:46,934 --> 00:07:49,834
which is called for
and encouraged in the state law.

193
00:07:49,834 --> 00:07:52,968
So, um, so all cities
are in the same position.

194
00:07:52,968 --> 00:07:55,634
But it seems as though
only in Seattle

195
00:07:55,634 --> 00:07:58,000
is this producing
a barrier

196
00:07:58,000 --> 00:07:59,601
to actually conforming
to state law.

197
00:07:59,601 --> 00:08:01,300
So I do want to put that
on the table.

198
00:08:01,300 --> 00:08:02,567
-Okay.

199
00:08:02,567 --> 00:08:07,300
-And what I will say
is that we -- you know,

200
00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:09,868
there will never be
enough money to --

201
00:08:09,868 --> 00:08:12,400
to probably, um,

202
00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:14,634
meet all the needs
of the people in our city.

203
00:08:14,634 --> 00:08:15,934
-That's fair.

204
00:08:15,934 --> 00:08:19,667
-And so, right now, the --
the LEAD and co-LEAD --

205
00:08:19,667 --> 00:08:23,434
the 2023 budget is 29--
$29 Million.

206
00:08:23,434 --> 00:08:25,033
-Yes.

207
00:08:25,033 --> 00:08:26,167
-The mayor's --
And most of that comes from --

208
00:08:26,167 --> 00:08:27,767
from the city
of Seattle.

209
00:08:27,767 --> 00:08:30,801
The mayor's legislation calls
for $27 Million.

210
00:08:30,801 --> 00:08:31,868
There's 51--

211
00:08:31,868 --> 00:08:34,033
There are $51 million
in the state bill

212
00:08:34,033 --> 00:08:35,868
that will go to
local jurisdictions.

213
00:08:35,868 --> 00:08:40,267
What matters to me is --
is that money is being spent

214
00:08:40,267 --> 00:08:44,601
to help people
put their lives back together,

215
00:08:44,601 --> 00:08:49,868
and -- and hopefully attain
treatment that will help them

216
00:08:49,868 --> 00:08:54,000
potentially with multiple
drug -- substance use disorders.

217
00:08:54,000 --> 00:09:00,133
And so, I don't feel that
we should be holding hostage

218
00:09:00,133 --> 00:09:04,901
the potential of helping people
right now if we're...

219
00:09:04,901 --> 00:09:06,834
in a --- in a --
in a debate over

220
00:09:06,834 --> 00:09:10,067
exactly how much is --
is necessary.

221
00:09:10,067 --> 00:09:12,033
People are dying
right now.

222
00:09:12,033 --> 00:09:13,367
Right now.

223
00:09:13,367 --> 00:09:15,934
And the longer we dither,
the more people will die.

224
00:09:15,934 --> 00:09:19,267
And we have got to -- we've got
to get something on the books

225
00:09:19,267 --> 00:09:21,801
so that we can provide
another incentive

226
00:09:21,801 --> 00:09:23,601
for people
to get into treatment.

227
00:09:23,601 --> 00:09:24,734
-Thank you.

228
00:09:24,734 --> 00:09:26,267
And I guess
that's been the point.

229
00:09:26,267 --> 00:09:28,067
I mean, the services and the
fact that they're underfunded,

230
00:09:28,067 --> 00:09:30,100
that's been an issue
long before the Blake case

231
00:09:30,100 --> 00:09:31,334
even came to light.

232
00:09:31,334 --> 00:09:32,667
Is that kind of where
you're going with this?

233
00:09:32,667 --> 00:09:33,934
-That's where I'm going
with it.

234
00:09:33,934 --> 00:09:36,300
And it is not trivial.
It is not trivial at all.

235
00:09:36,300 --> 00:09:37,667
I am not saying that.

236
00:09:37,667 --> 00:09:39,934
I am just saying
that we can --

237
00:09:39,934 --> 00:09:43,300
if we can go down
a rabbit hole of debate

238
00:09:43,300 --> 00:09:45,634
over how much is enough
before we'll do this,

239
00:09:45,634 --> 00:09:47,300
or we can do it
right now,

240
00:09:47,300 --> 00:09:52,634
and address soaring overdose
fatalities and -- and --

241
00:09:52,634 --> 00:09:55,334
and a lot of the crime that's
associated with the drug trade.

242
00:09:55,334 --> 00:09:56,400
-Yeah.

243
00:09:56,400 --> 00:09:57,534
Let's talk about
that criminal piece,

244
00:09:57,534 --> 00:09:59,934
and how these cases
might get prosecuted

245
00:09:59,934 --> 00:10:02,000
if criminal charges
are warranted here.

246
00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:03,901
I know the city attorney
pulled out of the agreement

247
00:10:03,901 --> 00:10:05,367
the city had
with the municipal court

248
00:10:05,367 --> 00:10:08,200
for the community court system
back in June.

249
00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:09,534
Is there something else
in place,

250
00:10:09,534 --> 00:10:11,601
a drug court or something
along those lines,

251
00:10:11,601 --> 00:10:13,567
where these possession
and use cases could be heard?

252
00:10:13,567 --> 00:10:15,667
Do you know
what's going on there?

253
00:10:15,667 --> 00:10:18,100
-Well, I do
because I am a member

254
00:10:18,100 --> 00:10:22,267
of that subgroup of the mayor's
Fentanyl Systems task force.

255
00:10:22,267 --> 00:10:23,734
-Right.

256
00:10:23,734 --> 00:10:25,767
-And so, it met two or three
times over the past --

257
00:10:25,767 --> 00:10:28,100
well, since it was announced
early in June.

258
00:10:28,100 --> 00:10:29,267
-Right.

259
00:10:29,267 --> 00:10:30,734
-And those conversations
are continuing.

260
00:10:30,734 --> 00:10:33,701
What will replace
community court.

261
00:10:33,701 --> 00:10:35,501
So, I do have to note,
however,

262
00:10:35,501 --> 00:10:39,000
that -- that that issue
is not directly related

263
00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:44,267
to the the prosecution
of possession and public use.

264
00:10:44,267 --> 00:10:46,167
Drug crimes
in and of themselves

265
00:10:46,167 --> 00:10:48,267
did not go through
community court.

266
00:10:48,267 --> 00:10:51,334
The -- The -- The city
attorney's announcement

267
00:10:51,334 --> 00:10:54,968
that that program would end
occurred at the same time

268
00:10:54,968 --> 00:10:58,400
when we were talking about this,
the first piece of legislation.

269
00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:00,701
-Yeah. In April. Right.

270
00:11:00,701 --> 00:11:02,834
-April or so. Yes.

271
00:11:02,834 --> 00:11:06,434
So, the issues
became conflated in --

272
00:11:06,434 --> 00:11:08,133
in the public
consciousness.

273
00:11:08,133 --> 00:11:11,334
And -- And there was a lot of
emotion about community court.

274
00:11:11,334 --> 00:11:14,334
But unfortunately,
the two -- the two are separate.

275
00:11:14,334 --> 00:11:15,834
-Okay.

276
00:11:15,834 --> 00:11:17,000
I guess what -- what is
going to come out of it?

277
00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:18,267
What would you like
to see come out of it,

278
00:11:18,267 --> 00:11:21,534
in terms of a court system
that deals with something

279
00:11:21,534 --> 00:11:23,200
that might represent
more like a drug court,

280
00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:25,234
some diversion
possibilities there?

281
00:11:25,234 --> 00:11:26,400
What do you want to see
come out?

282
00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:27,534
What kind of system?

283
00:11:27,534 --> 00:11:28,734
-What I learned
in these discussions --

284
00:11:28,734 --> 00:11:32,234
and there were --
there were judges and staff

285
00:11:32,234 --> 00:11:33,501
from the city attorney's
office,

286
00:11:33,501 --> 00:11:36,868
another council member,
Lisa Dugard.

287
00:11:36,868 --> 00:11:38,033
There were a lot of people

288
00:11:38,033 --> 00:11:39,834
that knew a lot more
about community court.

289
00:11:39,834 --> 00:11:41,534
What I learned was that
that was

290
00:11:41,534 --> 00:11:43,667
the third iteration
of community court.

291
00:11:43,667 --> 00:11:44,934
-I see.

292
00:11:44,934 --> 00:11:48,167
-So, um, so, clearly,
each iteration

293
00:11:48,167 --> 00:11:50,601
had some issues,
and needed to be improved.

294
00:11:50,601 --> 00:11:54,567
And so, I am not in a position,
with all humility,

295
00:11:54,567 --> 00:11:57,267
to say what should
come from that.

296
00:11:57,267 --> 00:12:00,701
I do believe that
a form of drug court is --

297
00:12:00,701 --> 00:12:03,634
would be really great,
because that directly --

298
00:12:03,634 --> 00:12:06,868
that directly addresses
substance use disorder.

299
00:12:06,868 --> 00:12:09,133
However, what I've been told
in those meetings

300
00:12:09,133 --> 00:12:10,868
is that that is
extremely expensive

301
00:12:10,868 --> 00:12:13,334
because there has to be
some kind of contracting

302
00:12:13,334 --> 00:12:15,300
or relationship
with providers.

303
00:12:15,300 --> 00:12:16,901
-I see.

304
00:12:16,901 --> 00:12:18,467
-So I will let the people
that know more

305
00:12:18,467 --> 00:12:21,501
make the final say
in what comes from that.

306
00:12:21,501 --> 00:12:22,868
-Right.
And this work is ongoing.

307
00:12:22,868 --> 00:12:24,133
And I just wanted to
talk about this

308
00:12:24,133 --> 00:12:25,934
to wrap up
this conversation --

309
00:12:25,934 --> 00:12:28,534
in terms of putting
this together,

310
00:12:28,534 --> 00:12:30,767
I think you're right in saying
that not all these pieces

311
00:12:30,767 --> 00:12:32,834
have to be in place --
like drug court, et cetera --

312
00:12:32,834 --> 00:12:34,434
before law is passed,

313
00:12:34,434 --> 00:12:36,634
but it does make for some
uncertainty, I guess, out there.

314
00:12:36,634 --> 00:12:38,067
It's like, "Well,
what happens with the court?

315
00:12:38,067 --> 00:12:39,534
Well, wait, how are we
going to pay for it?"

316
00:12:39,534 --> 00:12:41,701
And I guess, in wrapping up
this conversation,

317
00:12:41,701 --> 00:12:43,567
Councilmember Nelson,
what do you --

318
00:12:43,567 --> 00:12:46,467
what do you hope comes out of
the passage of this law?

319
00:12:46,467 --> 00:12:47,901
Where are we going to go
from here?

320
00:12:47,901 --> 00:12:50,367
What's our drug crisis going to
look like a year from now?

321
00:12:50,367 --> 00:12:53,400
And what type of an effect
will this law have on that?

322
00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:54,734
-What I hope
will come out

323
00:12:54,734 --> 00:12:57,501
is that the overdose fatality
numbers will go down,

324
00:12:57,501 --> 00:13:02,801
that -- that -- that people feel
safer going to and from work,

325
00:13:02,801 --> 00:13:05,133
and circulating downtown,

326
00:13:05,133 --> 00:13:10,534
and -- and that we --
we finally address head-on

327
00:13:10,534 --> 00:13:15,033
what has been lurking
and growing in -- in --

328
00:13:15,033 --> 00:13:17,667
in this region for a long time,
which is our fentanyl crisis.

329
00:13:17,667 --> 00:13:23,968
Washington state had the highest
number of overdoses in 2022

330
00:13:23,968 --> 00:13:25,834
than any other state
in the nation.

331
00:13:25,834 --> 00:13:29,467
So, it is high time that we
actually do something different.

332
00:13:29,467 --> 00:13:32,000
We have to do something
in addition to

333
00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:35,567
what we have been doing in order
to reverse those trends.

334
00:13:35,567 --> 00:13:36,734
-Thank you very much.

335
00:13:36,734 --> 00:13:38,200
I'm gonna move on
to some other work

336
00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:39,501
that the council
has been doing --

337
00:13:39,501 --> 00:13:40,534
actually some work
on a new

338
00:13:40,534 --> 00:13:42,634
Seattle tourism
improvement area,

339
00:13:42,634 --> 00:13:44,868
trying to ramp up tourism
in the city with a new

340
00:13:44,868 --> 00:13:47,767
2.3% fee applied to hotels
in this area.

341
00:13:47,767 --> 00:13:49,834
Basically, we're talking about
an area that goes from

342
00:13:49,834 --> 00:13:51,434
Galer Street
to Royal Brougham,

343
00:13:51,434 --> 00:13:53,234
and the Waterfront
up to 12th Avenue.

344
00:13:53,234 --> 00:13:54,601
I thought that there were
two slides

345
00:13:54,601 --> 00:13:56,968
that the council saw from
Visit Seattle on this topic

346
00:13:56,968 --> 00:13:58,767
that made for
a very compelling story.

347
00:13:58,767 --> 00:14:00,400
One of them --
projected bookings

348
00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:02,200
for Seattle's
new convention center

349
00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:04,534
aren't looking great
over the next couple of years.

350
00:14:04,534 --> 00:14:08,033
Two, looking at how other
major cities invest in tourism,

351
00:14:08,033 --> 00:14:10,133
Seattle is not tops
on that list.

352
00:14:10,133 --> 00:14:12,801
You're aware of this.
I wanted to talk about this.

353
00:14:12,801 --> 00:14:14,734
What's going to change
with this new version

354
00:14:14,734 --> 00:14:16,534
of the STIA,
as it's called?

355
00:14:16,534 --> 00:14:18,000
-Okay, let me give --

356
00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:19,467
thank you very much
for your interest,

357
00:14:19,467 --> 00:14:22,234
because, yes, last week
in my committee was a big week

358
00:14:22,234 --> 00:14:24,367
for business
improvement areas.

359
00:14:24,367 --> 00:14:25,367
-Yes.

360
00:14:25,367 --> 00:14:27,367
-And the STIA --

361
00:14:27,367 --> 00:14:29,667
the Seattle Tourism
Improvement Area,

362
00:14:29,667 --> 00:14:32,267
is one of many BIAs.

363
00:14:32,267 --> 00:14:35,501
And the way it works
is that it --

364
00:14:35,501 --> 00:14:40,467
71 hotels charge
their guests a fee,

365
00:14:40,467 --> 00:14:42,667
and that fee
goes into a pot,

366
00:14:42,667 --> 00:14:46,067
so that Visit Seattle
can spend that money

367
00:14:46,067 --> 00:14:48,567
not just to --
not to promote those hotels,

368
00:14:48,567 --> 00:14:53,501
not to just to promote downtown,
Visit Seattle promotes Seattle

369
00:14:53,501 --> 00:14:55,601
and business districts
across the city.

370
00:14:55,601 --> 00:14:56,968
-Right.

371
00:14:56,968 --> 00:15:01,133
-And so, last year,
we renewed SCIA's fee.

372
00:15:01,133 --> 00:15:05,501
It went from $2 per night
per guest...

373
00:15:05,501 --> 00:15:06,634
-Yes.

374
00:15:06,634 --> 00:15:07,767
-...which it had been
for 10 years.

375
00:15:07,767 --> 00:15:09,133
-Right.
-To $4.

376
00:15:09,133 --> 00:15:10,367
-Okay.

377
00:15:10,367 --> 00:15:11,868
-That was a big improvement,
okay?

378
00:15:11,868 --> 00:15:13,234
But at the same time,

379
00:15:13,234 --> 00:15:16,567
it became clear that the --
that we now have

380
00:15:16,567 --> 00:15:19,801
this brand-new,
gorgeous convention center,

381
00:15:19,801 --> 00:15:24,400
and the budget for promoting
the convention center was --

382
00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:25,734
had suffered losses.

383
00:15:25,734 --> 00:15:28,501
And so, they --
they needed help.

384
00:15:28,501 --> 00:15:31,734
The convention center
needed some funding

385
00:15:31,734 --> 00:15:33,334
not just to
promote itself,

386
00:15:33,334 --> 00:15:35,968
but also to pay staff
to make those bookings.

387
00:15:35,968 --> 00:15:37,501
We can't have
a convention center

388
00:15:37,501 --> 00:15:39,067
if people aren't
using it.

389
00:15:39,067 --> 00:15:43,033
And -- And the money that --
that those hotels generated

390
00:15:43,033 --> 00:15:45,601
could only be used
to promote leisure travel.

391
00:15:45,601 --> 00:15:47,434
-Right. Right.
-Not business travel.

392
00:15:47,434 --> 00:15:48,767
-And convention stuff.
Right. Right.

393
00:15:48,767 --> 00:15:50,133
-Yeah.

394
00:15:50,133 --> 00:15:52,167
And so, this legislation allowed
for the use of that money

395
00:15:52,167 --> 00:15:54,434
to be --
to be spent also

396
00:15:54,434 --> 00:15:57,167
to help fill the --
the convention center

397
00:15:57,167 --> 00:16:00,667
and the hotels
that serve the guests there.

398
00:16:00,667 --> 00:16:03,467
And I'll tell you,
it doesn't really matter

399
00:16:03,467 --> 00:16:06,467
who is paying the check
at a small business downtown,

400
00:16:06,467 --> 00:16:08,934
whether or not they're on
vacation or on business travel,

401
00:16:08,934 --> 00:16:11,667
that helps our small businesses
downtown

402
00:16:11,667 --> 00:16:12,667
and throughout the city.

403
00:16:12,667 --> 00:16:14,033
-Right.

404
00:16:14,033 --> 00:16:15,367
And I should point out,
this STIA, the members of it,

405
00:16:15,367 --> 00:16:17,801
they agreed to assess themselves
these fees,

406
00:16:17,801 --> 00:16:20,033
and these sort of things,
to improve the tourism there.

407
00:16:20,033 --> 00:16:21,934
And it sounds like a lot of
the people in that area said,

408
00:16:21,934 --> 00:16:23,367
"Yes,
we do want to do this

409
00:16:23,367 --> 00:16:24,734
because of
what's going on here."

410
00:16:24,734 --> 00:16:25,934
-70%.
-Yeah.

411
00:16:25,934 --> 00:16:27,767
That -- That's a big deal.
That's a big deal.

412
00:16:27,767 --> 00:16:29,467
And I wanted to make sure
I pointed that out.

413
00:16:29,467 --> 00:16:32,133
But in terms of the impact
you're hoping this would have,

414
00:16:32,133 --> 00:16:33,501
talk to me about this.

415
00:16:33,501 --> 00:16:36,100
Is this going to improve
those booking numbers

416
00:16:36,100 --> 00:16:38,033
for the convention center,
let's say?

417
00:16:38,033 --> 00:16:40,701
Is this going to mean a bigger
investment into tourism

418
00:16:40,701 --> 00:16:42,033
for the city
of Seattle?

419
00:16:42,033 --> 00:16:44,167
And then, maybe,
if you could add on to that,

420
00:16:44,167 --> 00:16:45,501
what's gonna happen
with jobs?

421
00:16:45,501 --> 00:16:47,100
Because I know that's been
a bit of an issue, too,

422
00:16:47,100 --> 00:16:49,234
trying to build back
that tourism industry

423
00:16:49,234 --> 00:16:50,734
and the jobs that are
really important with it.

424
00:16:50,734 --> 00:16:54,367
I mean, a $7.4 billion a year
type of industry here,

425
00:16:54,367 --> 00:16:55,834
this is a big deal
for King County.

426
00:16:55,834 --> 00:16:56,968
-Absolutely.

427
00:16:56,968 --> 00:16:58,434
And people can look back
at this summer, and say,

428
00:16:58,434 --> 00:17:00,534
"Hey, tourism is great
in Seattle."

429
00:17:00,534 --> 00:17:01,767
That's a great time
to visit Seattle.

430
00:17:01,767 --> 00:17:02,968
-Right.

431
00:17:02,968 --> 00:17:04,267
-But we are also
talking about the need

432
00:17:04,267 --> 00:17:07,200
to promote conventions
throughout the year.

433
00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:09,634
And people book conventions
years in advance.

434
00:17:09,634 --> 00:17:11,834
Okay, so we are
talking jobs

435
00:17:11,834 --> 00:17:14,801
and we're talking
the promotion of Seattle.

436
00:17:14,801 --> 00:17:17,434
And I don't know
if I got to this point,

437
00:17:17,434 --> 00:17:20,000
but so it had been $4.

438
00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:21,100
-Yes.

439
00:17:21,100 --> 00:17:22,501
-And with passage
of this legislation,

440
00:17:22,501 --> 00:17:25,100
the fee will
go to 2.3%

441
00:17:25,100 --> 00:17:26,200
-You mentioned
that earlier.

442
00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:27,334
-Right.
-Yes.

443
00:17:27,334 --> 00:17:29,534
And so, that allows --
so that means

444
00:17:29,534 --> 00:17:34,234
that the fee is is proportionate
to the cost of the stay.

445
00:17:34,234 --> 00:17:35,501
-And grow over time,
et cetera.

446
00:17:35,501 --> 00:17:36,501
-Right.

447
00:17:36,501 --> 00:17:37,934
And it's not regressive,

448
00:17:37,934 --> 00:17:39,667
so that a guest who's staying
in a more expensive hotel

449
00:17:39,667 --> 00:17:41,200
pays more than somebody
who's staying in

450
00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:42,634
a less expensive hotel.

451
00:17:42,634 --> 00:17:44,100
This is what
Portland does.

452
00:17:44,100 --> 00:17:45,367
-Yeah.

453
00:17:45,367 --> 00:17:47,200
And we're competing
against Portland for the --

454
00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:48,367
that business travel.

455
00:17:48,367 --> 00:17:50,534
And so, I am hoping
that this will make

456
00:17:50,534 --> 00:17:53,167
Seattle more competitive
and provide more money

457
00:17:53,167 --> 00:17:54,968
at the same time
for our --

458
00:17:54,968 --> 00:17:57,400
to promote our businesses
and to grow our job base.

459
00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:58,567
-Got it.

460
00:17:58,567 --> 00:17:59,567
Can you touch briefly
on what's happening

461
00:17:59,567 --> 00:18:01,033
with the Ballard
improvement area?

462
00:18:01,033 --> 00:18:03,234
Because I know
that one was approved recently,

463
00:18:03,234 --> 00:18:04,467
too, in committee.

464
00:18:04,467 --> 00:18:05,934
What's that going to do
for that neighborhood?

465
00:18:05,934 --> 00:18:07,000
Because I know they've --

466
00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:08,334
they've been through a lot,
there,

467
00:18:08,334 --> 00:18:09,801
and they're certainly
looking for some support.

468
00:18:09,801 --> 00:18:12,133
Talk to me about Ballard, and
what's happening in that area.

469
00:18:12,133 --> 00:18:13,267
-Sure.

470
00:18:13,267 --> 00:18:16,801
So, again, Ballard is --
the Ballard Alliance

471
00:18:16,801 --> 00:18:19,901
is another one of the city's
business improvement areas.

472
00:18:19,901 --> 00:18:20,901
-Right.

473
00:18:20,901 --> 00:18:22,501
-And just so
your folks know,

474
00:18:22,501 --> 00:18:27,868
these ratepayers
agreed to charge themselves.

475
00:18:27,868 --> 00:18:29,200
-Right. Mm-hmm.

476
00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:33,167
-So -- And that money
goes into a pot of money that,

477
00:18:33,167 --> 00:18:36,634
in most cases, is used to
beautify the neighborhood,

478
00:18:36,634 --> 00:18:38,767
pick up trash,
remove graffiti,

479
00:18:38,767 --> 00:18:41,400
put lights in the trees
at holiday time,

480
00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:43,334
promote the local
businesses,

481
00:18:43,334 --> 00:18:45,300
put on festivals,
all of those things.

482
00:18:45,300 --> 00:18:47,400
That's not just good
for the businesses that are --

483
00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:49,834
or the property owners
that are paying that money,

484
00:18:49,834 --> 00:18:51,434
it's good for the neighborhood
as a whole.

485
00:18:51,434 --> 00:18:52,868
-Sure.

486
00:18:52,868 --> 00:18:54,834
-And -- And it's good for
Seattle in general.

487
00:18:54,834 --> 00:18:56,167
So...

488
00:18:56,167 --> 00:18:59,801
so we owe a debt of gratitude
to all of our --

489
00:18:59,801 --> 00:19:02,067
all of our BIAs
and the ratepayers that --

490
00:19:02,067 --> 00:19:05,667
that agree to pay this,
which benefits all of us.

491
00:19:05,667 --> 00:19:09,334
And we saw that there was
really strong support

492
00:19:09,334 --> 00:19:11,734
for the renewal of the Mid
downtown, as well.

493
00:19:11,734 --> 00:19:13,067
-Right, right.
Another example.

494
00:19:13,067 --> 00:19:14,300
-Yeah.

495
00:19:14,300 --> 00:19:16,868
So, -- So, essentially,
with the Ballard BIA,

496
00:19:16,868 --> 00:19:21,267
I believe that it --
it had started in 2011.

497
00:19:21,267 --> 00:19:22,534
-Yes.

498
00:19:22,534 --> 00:19:24,267
-And there is no change
to the assessment.

499
00:19:24,267 --> 00:19:25,400
-Okay.

500
00:19:25,400 --> 00:19:26,767
-However, there is
some slight modification

501
00:19:26,767 --> 00:19:29,667
to the boundary of the --
of the BIA itself.

502
00:19:29,667 --> 00:19:30,968
-Okay. Okay.

503
00:19:30,968 --> 00:19:32,234
So, those benefits
will still keep coming in.

504
00:19:32,234 --> 00:19:33,434
Thank you very much
for that.

505
00:19:33,434 --> 00:19:35,000
I wanted to talk about
an interesting issue

506
00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:36,501
before the council
recently --

507
00:19:36,501 --> 00:19:39,334
how we vote to put council
members like you in office.

508
00:19:39,334 --> 00:19:40,934
The council is talking
about staggering

509
00:19:40,934 --> 00:19:42,701
those terms,
such that we would vote

510
00:19:42,701 --> 00:19:44,934
for four members in one year,
five the next,

511
00:19:44,934 --> 00:19:47,267
so we don't have all
seven district seats up at once

512
00:19:47,267 --> 00:19:49,000
like we have this year,
for example.

513
00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:50,133
This would be
a charter amendment,

514
00:19:50,133 --> 00:19:52,601
so it would require
a public vote.

515
00:19:52,601 --> 00:19:55,934
Why are you
considering this?

516
00:19:55,934 --> 00:19:57,400
-You will have to ask
the proponents.

517
00:19:57,400 --> 00:19:58,767
-Okay. Okay.

518
00:19:58,767 --> 00:20:00,534
-This has not been
referred yet.

519
00:20:00,534 --> 00:20:02,400
It has been discussed
once

520
00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:04,434
in the Finance
and Housing Committee.

521
00:20:04,434 --> 00:20:05,868
-Okay.

522
00:20:05,868 --> 00:20:07,667
Do you think it's a good idea,
is what I was putting out?

523
00:20:07,667 --> 00:20:08,667
No.
-Oh, okay.

524
00:20:08,667 --> 00:20:10,000
-I do not.

525
00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:12,100
First, and primarily
based on the principle

526
00:20:12,100 --> 00:20:16,033
that our current system,
our seven districts

527
00:20:16,033 --> 00:20:19,767
and our two citywide positions,
and when they are on the ballot,

528
00:20:19,767 --> 00:20:23,968
that was the product of
a citizens initiative in 2013.

529
00:20:23,968 --> 00:20:25,367
-Okay.

530
00:20:25,367 --> 00:20:26,767
-And here
we're about to --

531
00:20:26,767 --> 00:20:28,901
one council member is saying
that we should change it,

532
00:20:28,901 --> 00:20:31,634
with very little
public discussion,

533
00:20:31,634 --> 00:20:34,934
and without really
articulating

534
00:20:34,934 --> 00:20:37,334
what is the problem
that this will solve,

535
00:20:37,334 --> 00:20:39,434
and what is the evidence
of that problem.

536
00:20:39,434 --> 00:20:43,634
That's what I take into any --
really any policy discussion,

537
00:20:43,634 --> 00:20:46,100
but especially when it comes
to elections.

538
00:20:46,100 --> 00:20:47,567
-Yeah.

539
00:20:47,567 --> 00:20:49,834
-And even especially especially
when that election system

540
00:20:49,834 --> 00:20:52,300
was a product of --
of a people's initiative.

541
00:20:52,300 --> 00:20:54,534
Okay?
So...So that is the thing

542
00:20:54,534 --> 00:20:57,067
I did talk to
Eugene Wasserman,

543
00:20:57,067 --> 00:21:00,267
who was the chair of the Seattle
District Now Committee

544
00:21:00,267 --> 00:21:01,868
that put that
on the ballot.

545
00:21:01,868 --> 00:21:04,167
And I -- And in fact,
there were some good reasons

546
00:21:04,167 --> 00:21:05,968
why it was set up
the way it was.

547
00:21:05,968 --> 00:21:09,234
And the four citywide positions,
to council members,

548
00:21:09,234 --> 00:21:11,200
mayor,
and city attorney

549
00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:16,000
we're -- we're not on the ballot
at the same time on purpose.

550
00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:17,834
And I can go into
the reasons for that.

551
00:21:17,834 --> 00:21:21,200
But there was a well-reasoned,
um, set --

552
00:21:21,200 --> 00:21:24,701
rationale for the way that
it was set up.

553
00:21:24,701 --> 00:21:29,200
And I think just going in and --
and moving things around

554
00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:33,334
without really talking about
what will be the pros and cons,

555
00:21:33,334 --> 00:21:36,868
it does a disservice to our
democratic system right now.

556
00:21:36,868 --> 00:21:37,968
-It would be
a public vote.

557
00:21:37,968 --> 00:21:39,167
I mean,
the public would have

558
00:21:39,167 --> 00:21:40,701
the chance to decide
on something like this.

559
00:21:40,701 --> 00:21:43,267
And I guess the idea -- just for
a little Devil's Advocate, here,

560
00:21:43,267 --> 00:21:45,334
I think the idea
is to try to avoid

561
00:21:45,334 --> 00:21:47,734
as much institutional turnover
in case,

562
00:21:47,734 --> 00:21:50,434
let's say, all seven positions
are up and different.

563
00:21:50,434 --> 00:21:52,434
We have new people in office.
That's great.

564
00:21:52,434 --> 00:21:53,734
But at the same time,

565
00:21:53,734 --> 00:21:54,968
there's a certain
learning curve, as you know,

566
00:21:54,968 --> 00:21:57,100
with City Hall, in terms
of getting council members

567
00:21:57,100 --> 00:21:59,767
up to speed on how to
pass legislation and stuff.

568
00:21:59,767 --> 00:22:01,000
Your thoughts
on that piece of it.

569
00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:02,834
I guess the other side
of the argument.

570
00:22:02,834 --> 00:22:04,801
-Well, first of all,
I'll say -- Devil's Advocate.

571
00:22:04,801 --> 00:22:06,234
-Okay.

572
00:22:06,234 --> 00:22:08,601
-If people want to throw out
all seven, they have that right.

573
00:22:08,601 --> 00:22:09,801
-That's right.
-All right?

574
00:22:09,801 --> 00:22:13,601
And so --
But at the same time...

575
00:22:13,601 --> 00:22:16,000
I have not heard
any complaints...

576
00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:17,467
-Okay.

577
00:22:17,467 --> 00:22:19,067
-...from counc--
from my constituents,

578
00:22:19,067 --> 00:22:21,200
that have said
that they didn't feel that

579
00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:23,901
they could fully participate
in the electoral process.

580
00:22:23,901 --> 00:22:25,234
-Okay. Okay.

581
00:22:25,234 --> 00:22:29,367
-And yes, there is always
the potential for disruption.

582
00:22:29,367 --> 00:22:32,400
But again, it was set up
this way for a reason.

583
00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:33,534
-Okay.

584
00:22:33,534 --> 00:22:36,067
-And yes, this --
the voters will decide,

585
00:22:36,067 --> 00:22:39,601
but council will be put
in the position of saying --

586
00:22:39,601 --> 00:22:43,601
we have to -- by --
by putting it on the ballot,

587
00:22:43,601 --> 00:22:45,734
We are saying there is
a problem right now.

588
00:22:45,734 --> 00:22:47,100
-I see.

589
00:22:47,100 --> 00:22:49,234
-And -- And that --
that case has to be made to me.

590
00:22:49,234 --> 00:22:50,367
-Okay.

591
00:22:50,367 --> 00:22:52,701
-The -- The -- I will --
I do want to mention

592
00:22:52,701 --> 00:22:55,467
that this does contain --
the legislation contains

593
00:22:55,467 --> 00:22:59,601
a ballot title that includes
a call for a change,

594
00:22:59,601 --> 00:23:03,567
if the state gives permission,
to even-year elections

595
00:23:03,567 --> 00:23:05,334
for local --
for local governments.

596
00:23:05,334 --> 00:23:07,100
-Right. Right.

597
00:23:07,100 --> 00:23:09,501
-That is extremely
concerning to me.

598
00:23:09,501 --> 00:23:10,501
Why?

599
00:23:10,501 --> 00:23:12,267
Because our races,
our elections,

600
00:23:12,267 --> 00:23:13,801
are every other year.

601
00:23:13,801 --> 00:23:16,400
And people -- you know,
local government isn't sexy,

602
00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:19,200
but the decisions
made by those people,

603
00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:22,701
by the -- by officeholders
affect people's lives

604
00:23:22,701 --> 00:23:25,701
every single day,
from public safety to potholes.

605
00:23:25,701 --> 00:23:29,300
And if those races
have to compete on a ballot

606
00:23:29,300 --> 00:23:35,167
with state and federal and
potentially presidential race,

607
00:23:35,167 --> 00:23:37,267
I am concerned that --

608
00:23:37,267 --> 00:23:39,133
that people will not get
the information,

609
00:23:39,133 --> 00:23:40,634
because you won't be
reading headlines

610
00:23:40,634 --> 00:23:43,133
about the candidate forum
with, you know...

611
00:23:43,133 --> 00:23:44,267
-Sure.

612
00:23:44,267 --> 00:23:45,267
-...with all the
mayoral candidates,

613
00:23:45,267 --> 00:23:48,400
or with the
city council candidates.

614
00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:49,767
-It'd make for
a crowded ballot.

615
00:23:49,767 --> 00:23:51,100
I see what you're saying.
-Right.

616
00:23:51,100 --> 00:23:54,501
A crowded ballot
in a shrinking news landscape.

617
00:23:54,501 --> 00:23:58,234
So, I think that the quality
of public information

618
00:23:58,234 --> 00:24:00,701
is -- is very important when it
comes to local elections.

619
00:24:00,701 --> 00:24:01,901
-Okay.

620
00:24:01,901 --> 00:24:03,000
Thank you for your feedback
on that.

621
00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:04,334
I wanted to talk about
another plan

622
00:24:04,334 --> 00:24:05,901
you have in the works
to expand

623
00:24:05,901 --> 00:24:08,868
the number of electric vehicle
chargers in the city of Seattle.

624
00:24:08,868 --> 00:24:10,334
As I understand it,
City Light

625
00:24:10,334 --> 00:24:12,501
would potentially lease out
city property

626
00:24:12,501 --> 00:24:14,067
to a private company
to run a station

627
00:24:14,067 --> 00:24:16,200
or City Light
might rent out a space

628
00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:18,167
from private property owners
to make this happen.

629
00:24:18,167 --> 00:24:20,734
What's the goal here?
What's happening?

630
00:24:20,734 --> 00:24:24,033
-The goal here
is to make it easier

631
00:24:24,033 --> 00:24:26,868
to charge
an electric vehicle.

632
00:24:26,868 --> 00:24:31,200
Brian, the good news
is that 25% --

633
00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:34,868
close to 25% of new vehicles
purchased in Seattle

634
00:24:34,868 --> 00:24:36,033
are electric vehicles.

635
00:24:36,033 --> 00:24:37,167
That's great.

636
00:24:37,167 --> 00:24:39,400
We tend to be
an early adopter city.

637
00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:44,801
The bad news is that our, um --
our network of chargers

638
00:24:44,801 --> 00:24:48,167
of -- of electric vehicle
charging stations has not grown.

639
00:24:48,167 --> 00:24:51,567
So, unless you have a charger
in your --

640
00:24:51,567 --> 00:24:55,167
in your -- in your home,
or apartment complex,

641
00:24:55,167 --> 00:24:56,868
or at your workplace,
it's very difficult --

642
00:24:56,868 --> 00:24:59,801
especially, and what about
for visitors that come.

643
00:24:59,801 --> 00:25:04,334
And so, City Light has installed
electric chargers

644
00:25:04,334 --> 00:25:06,267
on city property.

645
00:25:06,267 --> 00:25:08,300
You know, perhaps that's not
very convenient.

646
00:25:08,300 --> 00:25:09,934
So, we have to
get creative.

647
00:25:09,934 --> 00:25:14,834
And this is -- This is allowing
for the flexibility

648
00:25:14,834 --> 00:25:18,667
to partner with a vendor that
could put it on public property

649
00:25:18,667 --> 00:25:21,467
or to partner with
the owner of, say,

650
00:25:21,467 --> 00:25:25,901
a parking lot surrounded by
small businesses,

651
00:25:25,901 --> 00:25:27,901
where people can charge
their car

652
00:25:27,901 --> 00:25:29,801
while they patronize
one of those businesses.

653
00:25:29,801 --> 00:25:31,767
So, there is an economic
development component --

654
00:25:31,767 --> 00:25:33,033
of course I'm always
going to say.

655
00:25:33,033 --> 00:25:34,801
-That -- You're the head
of that committee.

656
00:25:34,801 --> 00:25:36,667
-We have to -- We have to
get more creative,

657
00:25:36,667 --> 00:25:41,033
because -- because we need to
fulfill our climate goals

658
00:25:41,033 --> 00:25:44,300
and also implement
the City Light

659
00:25:44,300 --> 00:25:46,734
transportation,
electrification plan.

660
00:25:46,734 --> 00:25:47,934
-Right.

661
00:25:47,934 --> 00:25:49,267
The state saying by 2035

662
00:25:49,267 --> 00:25:50,734
we're not supposed to have
any new vehicles

663
00:25:50,734 --> 00:25:52,467
that are not
electrically charged.

664
00:25:52,467 --> 00:25:54,434
So, thank you for that.
Mailbag time, here.

665
00:25:54,434 --> 00:25:56,701
A quick land-use question
for you, here.

666
00:25:56,701 --> 00:25:58,167
Anson writes in this --

667
00:25:58,167 --> 00:26:00,133
"I want to know what's happening
with the proposed affordable

668
00:26:00,133 --> 00:26:02,067
housing development
in Fort Lawton.

669
00:26:02,067 --> 00:26:04,868
The city's own website
hasn't been updated since 2019,

670
00:26:04,868 --> 00:26:07,868
and the inaction seems,
well, irresponsible.

671
00:26:07,868 --> 00:26:09,901
Is this how we deal with
the housing crisis?"

672
00:26:09,901 --> 00:26:11,567
A big question
on Fort Lawton.

673
00:26:11,567 --> 00:26:13,067
I know it's been an issue
for years.

674
00:26:13,067 --> 00:26:14,601
Any thoughts
on this one?

675
00:26:14,601 --> 00:26:16,934
-Can I claim
I'll get back to you?

676
00:26:16,934 --> 00:26:18,300
-Yeah, that's fair.
That's fair.

677
00:26:18,300 --> 00:26:20,534
I know this has just been
a big issue for so long.

678
00:26:20,534 --> 00:26:22,133
Maybe we can talk about
affordable housing

679
00:26:22,133 --> 00:26:23,400
writ large
a little bit,

680
00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:25,033
'cause I know
that's an issue for you, too.

681
00:26:25,033 --> 00:26:26,868
Any thoughts
on that bigger issue?

682
00:26:26,868 --> 00:26:31,567
-My -- My position
is that...

683
00:26:31,567 --> 00:26:34,167
anything that we can do
to remove barriers

684
00:26:34,167 --> 00:26:37,968
to -- to expanding
housing options we should do.

685
00:26:37,968 --> 00:26:39,434
-Okay.

686
00:26:39,434 --> 00:26:41,434
-And so, I don't know what
the holdup is at Fort Lawton,

687
00:26:41,434 --> 00:26:43,133
but what I would say
is that

688
00:26:43,133 --> 00:26:45,734
we do have
a housing affordability crisis,

689
00:26:45,734 --> 00:26:48,300
and there are many ways
we can tackle it.

690
00:26:48,300 --> 00:26:51,133
We will have the housing levy
on the ballot.

691
00:26:51,133 --> 00:26:52,400
That will be great.

692
00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:54,934
We also have
a lot of --

693
00:26:54,934 --> 00:26:56,901
there are projects
in the pipeline

694
00:26:56,901 --> 00:26:58,167
to build
affordable housing.

695
00:26:58,167 --> 00:27:00,801
We've got the multi-family
tax exemption program,

696
00:27:00,801 --> 00:27:04,167
which -- which puts affordable
units in --

697
00:27:04,167 --> 00:27:06,000
in private developments.

698
00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:09,100
And -- my favorite --
we can make it easier

699
00:27:09,100 --> 00:27:12,167
and less expensive
to produce new units.

700
00:27:12,167 --> 00:27:13,501
And that has to do
with permitting,

701
00:27:13,501 --> 00:27:15,133
cutting some red tape.

702
00:27:15,133 --> 00:27:17,067
So, it's all hands
on deck,

703
00:27:17,067 --> 00:27:18,634
and we need to do
all of the above.

704
00:27:18,634 --> 00:27:19,734
-Thank you.

705
00:27:19,734 --> 00:27:20,834
I appreciate you working with me
on that.

706
00:27:20,834 --> 00:27:22,467
Maybe one last question
to wrap up --

707
00:27:22,467 --> 00:27:23,934
budget priorities
for the fall.

708
00:27:23,934 --> 00:27:25,467
Can you talk to me
about that?

709
00:27:25,467 --> 00:27:27,701
I know this is a big issue
coming up every fall.

710
00:27:27,701 --> 00:27:29,868
Your thoughts about where
your budget priorities are.

711
00:27:29,868 --> 00:27:31,234
big picture.

712
00:27:31,234 --> 00:27:34,334
-Well, we have already endorsed
the 2024 budget,

713
00:27:34,334 --> 00:27:36,400
and so there will be
very little room

714
00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:38,267
for changes,
and council members

715
00:27:38,267 --> 00:27:41,200
will have to, if they propose
an addition to the budget,

716
00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:44,033
they have got to
identify a cut.

717
00:27:44,033 --> 00:27:48,067
So, I don't know what my other
colleagues are planning,

718
00:27:48,067 --> 00:27:52,000
but I -- in my committee,
we passed a resolution

719
00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:55,801
that endorsed the the Office
of Economic Development's

720
00:27:55,801 --> 00:27:59,467
Future of Seattle Economy
Investment agenda.

721
00:27:59,467 --> 00:28:00,601
-Right.

722
00:28:00,601 --> 00:28:02,133
-Which is -- Which --

723
00:28:02,133 --> 00:28:06,033
And this was the culmination
of a community-driven process

724
00:28:06,033 --> 00:28:11,767
where stakeholders identified
different investment areas

725
00:28:11,767 --> 00:28:14,367
that would help build
generational wealth.

726
00:28:14,367 --> 00:28:15,767
-Sure.

727
00:28:15,767 --> 00:28:18,300
-And so, what I am
going to be focused on

728
00:28:18,300 --> 00:28:22,467
is making sure that the --
the investment agenda,

729
00:28:22,467 --> 00:28:25,200
whatever those particular
budget items,

730
00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:27,901
that I'm going to try
to protect those items,

731
00:28:27,901 --> 00:28:31,601
because that is the -- that is
the department that I oversee.

732
00:28:31,601 --> 00:28:35,133
And I think that
economic development is --

733
00:28:35,133 --> 00:28:38,834
is -- we have got to do
everything we possibly can

734
00:28:38,834 --> 00:28:40,968
to promote
economic development,

735
00:28:40,968 --> 00:28:44,434
especially in neighborhoods
where people are being displaced

736
00:28:44,434 --> 00:28:46,334
and opportunities
are far fewer.

737
00:28:46,334 --> 00:28:48,100
-Okay.
Thank you very much for that.

738
00:28:48,100 --> 00:28:49,767
I know a lot is still ahead,
and for next year, too,

739
00:28:49,767 --> 00:28:51,567
with a budget gap
to talk about, as well.

740
00:28:51,567 --> 00:28:52,934
Thank you very much,
Councilmember Nelson.

741
00:28:52,934 --> 00:28:55,100
Thanks for everybody
who's watching out there.

742
00:28:55,100 --> 00:28:57,801
We'll see you next time
on "Council Edition."

743
00:28:57,801 --> 00:29:04,634
♪♪

744
00:29:04,634 --> 00:29:11,367
♪♪

745
00:29:11,367 --> 00:29:18,133
♪♪

