Seattle Forward

Regulating Lobbyists

This afternoon at 2 p.m. a Council committee will consider legislation sponsored by Councilmember Nick Licata and co-sponsored by myself and Councilmembers Richard Conlin, Jean Godden, and Tom Rasmussen that would require paid lobbyists who attempt to influence city decisions and policy to register with the city and disclose their expenditures and activities.  The legislation is similar to what King County and the state of Washington already require of paid lobbyists.  It's a solid piece of legislation.

During my review of the proposed legislation, I suggested a couple of changes. 

First, I suggested that the scope of the ordinance be expanded to allow "any person" to file complaints of noncompliance instead of the original language that only granted such standing to "a registered voter."

Second, I suggested that the penalty provision of the proposed ordinance be consistent with the city's current election law, a change that increased the penalty provision from a maximum fine of $1,000 to $5,000 per violation. 

Both of these changes are included in the legislation to be considered later today. 

Seattle Police Officer Compensation

Unfortunately, the city (via the Mayor's office) and the Seattle Police Officers' Guild (SPOG) have now gotten into a public spat over contract negotiations.  It started this morning when police commanders distributed a single page summary (Click here to get the sheet: Download city_spog_summary_sheet_22608.pdf)  of the city's contract offer to officers at roll call meetings.  This afternoon SPOG fired back, accusing the city of unfair tactics and violating confidentiality agreements. 

This is all very disappointing because it signals that contract negotiations between the city and SPOG have completely broken down.  I'm particularly disappointed because we have a unique opportunity right now to strengthen police accountability/transparency and take huge steps toward solving our officer recruitment and retention problems.  The city's offer is very generous and, over the term of the contract, increases officer compensation to the highest in the greater Puget Sound region, something our officers rightly deserve, in my opinion.  I hope SPOG will reconsider the city's offer.

Water Savings!

OK, statistics can be boring and confusing, but I've got to share these numbers.  Seattle is doing a great job of conserving water. 

In 2007, average total consumption of water was 125.9 million gallons per day.  This seems like a lot, but it's the lowest level since 1964. 

In 1987, we had an average total daily consumption of 169.4 million gallons per day, so we've reduced consumption 25.6% in that 20 year span.  Population in our service area (Seattle sells water to users outside of the city) increased 20.2% during the same period, from 1,079,560 in 1987 to 1,297,302 in 2007.  Between 1987 and 2007, per capita consumption has gone from 157 gallons per day to 97 gallons per day, a reduction of 38.2%. 

Kudos to everyone working to conserve our water supply.  Thank you!

Homeless Vets

Senator Patty Murray held a forum on homeless veterans yesterday afternoon at Plymouth Housing's new Simons Senior Apartments on Third Avenue.  Interesting discussion with Senator Murray repeatedly asking vets on the panel and in the audience their opinions about the causes of homelessness among veterans. 

Senator Murray's office asked me to participate and I was able to share some "slap in the face" statistics about the problem of homelessness among veterans.  If these don't grab your attention, well . . .

The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates there are nearly 200,000 homeless vets on any given night in the USA.  In our state, the Low-Income Housing Alliance puts that number at 6,900.  Here in Seattle-King County, it's estimated that 15% of our total homeless population--or about 1,200 individuals--are veterans, men and women who have faithfully served our country now living on the streets. 

The city of Seattle spends approximately $3 million per year from our general fund to assist homeless veterans.  King County dedicates about $11 million per year. 

The vet's answers to Senator Murray's questions on cause:  post-traumatic stress disorder, general mental health issues, alcohol and drug abuse, family re-entry challenges, insufficient counseling about the array of services available to veterans at discharge, and the lack of middle-income or work force housing. 

By the way, Plymouth's new Simons Apartments are yet another excellent example of Seattle's public-private partnerships with nonprofit organizations to address low-income housing and homeless issues.  Plymouth--headed by Paul Lambros--is perhaps the country's premier, trend-setting housing advocate and supplier.  They really are a model of efficiency and effectiveness. 

Birdseye View

Mayor Nickels delivered his State of the City address this morning to the City Council meeting in special session at the Pacific Science Center at Seattle Center.  I took this photo from my seat just as the Mayor began his remarks. 

No quibbles with the content of the Mayor's speech, but he failed to mention a couple of pressing issues.  For example, I would have appreciated an acknowledgment that we continue to fail to meet our police hiring goals and that we can't seem to get a handle on violent street crime on Capitol Hill and the University District.  Overall, the Mayor touched on a litany of topics--under the umbrella of innovation--where the city has made good progress--affordable housing, transportation improvements, environmental stewardship, to name just a few.   

The Council agreed to hold the event this year at the Science Center; it was supposed to attract more members of the public.  Alas, the room was packed with city staffers and Council aides, perhaps 150 at the most.  The Rotary Club speech last year drew many more "average citizens" and also the wrath of some Councilmembers who felt slighted because the address wasn't held in the Council chamber.  But, on the way out we saw long lines of people waiting to get into the Science Center on what is a bright and crisp Seattle day.   

Official Snapshot!

We never looked better! 

Most of members of the Council were at the Pacific Science Center at Seattle Center this morning to receive the Mayor's State of the City address.  When I got back to City Hall our official photo had been issued.  You saw it here first! 

Signposts

Walking around downtown Portland this afternoon and wondering why Seattle doesn't have more guide signs like this one--

Relatively small.  Unobtrusive.  Very helpful.  We saw several in the downtown core district, some sponsored by nearby businesses.  Nice. 

Housing, Arts, and Sidewalks

A man from West Seattle dreamed that an abandoned church on Capitol Hill could be converted into a community performing arts hall.  He worked hard, but in the end couldn't pull it together.  The church will soon be replaced with condos. 

Economic pressures may soon convert the Odd Fellows Hall on Capitol Hill to other uses and force several artists from their studios. 

As Seattle changes--mostly for the better through increased density, more diverse transportation options--it's important that we guard the cultural aspects of our city's character. 

Roger Valdez captured the essence of this in his recent Op Ed piece in The Seattle Times.  Stay tuned for City Council action this spring on TDR (transferable development rights) and incentive zoning.

Police Accountability Issues

The Mayor's panel on police accountability has issued 29 specific recommendations designed to strengthen police accountability and transparency.  Sixteen of the recommendations, according to the Mayor, are being implemented right away, the remaining 13 are subject to negotiations with the Seattle Police Officer's Guild.  Read the Mayor's 2007 Police Accountability Review Panel report here.

I support all 29 of the panel's recommendations.  They are good recommendations that will help maintain the highest quality of police services in Seattle.  I'm hopeful we can start a new conversation that reflects the professionalism of our police officers and the importance of community accountability and transparency.  I believe these recommendations can be implemented with the full support of the officer's union, and soon.

We have the largest police department in the state of Washington, the most sophisticated, the best trained, and our officers deserve to be the best compensated.  It's important to wrap up the current labor negotiations with our police officers--they've been working without a contract for over a year--and return our focus to protecting our neighborhoods.

Important Related Resources:

City Council Advisory Panel on Police Accountability Enabling Legislation

Office of Professional Accountability Enabling Legislation

Office of Professional Accountability Website

Office of Professional Accountability Review Board Enabling Legislation

Office of Professional Accountability Review Board Website

Seattle Times: Mayor’s panel wants more police scrutiny

Seattle P-I Editorial: Seattle Police: Adopt panel ideas

UW Violence and Student Housing

University of Washington students are upset about violent crime in their neighborhood and unsafe rental housing.  I met with UW representatives this morning, including two ASUW students.   

The crime issue is significant (read here, here and here) and reinforces our need for more police officers in our city.  I first raised this issue in 2004 in an Op Ed and again in 2006.  Unfortunately, recruitment of new officers has fallen below targets for the past few years; 55 in 2007 instead of the goal of 80.  New recruiting incentives took effect in January, including a higher uniform allowance and a $5,000 one-time hiring bonus. 

Some will argue that Seattle's crime rate is declining and, therefore, we don't need additional officers and the funds for hiring can be shifted to other important areas of need.  Not true for two reasons.

First, Seattle's deployment of officers is below that of other cities that have a similar policing environment.  Second, cops matter.  The presence of uniformed police officers deters misdemeanor crime, the low-level criminal activity we often refer to as "qualify of life" crime, such as petty theft, graffiti, car prowls, public urination, littering, simple assault, etc.  This kind of crime can be deterred through increased police patrols.  New York certainly saw this when an increased police presence and a determination to enforce misdemeanor laws led to the clean-up of Times Square many years ago.  Seattle has seen it in the downtown Pike-Pine corridor this past summer when additional patrols led to a sharp reduction in 911 calls and street level drug sales. 

The students' concern about rental housing also needs to be addressed.  They are concerned about working smoke detectors, proper ventilation, functional locks, windows that shut and lock, and carbon monoxide detectors in every unit.  I find these concerns legitimate.  The Council in December authorized a study of potential mandatory rental housing inspections. 

UW students have properly voiced their concerns over public safety.  It's my job as a Councilmember--along with my colleagues--to respond with solutions that will cure the problem.