Seattle Forward

Council Vote on Seattle Parks District

For the last several weeks, the City Council has deliberated on a proposal to create a Seattle Parks District. Under state law, the city government can ask the voters to approve this new, dedicated and sustainable funding source for our parks.

The Council will meet this afternoon to make a final decision about placing this measure before voters in August.

The Council received a proposal from the Mayor that placed a strong and much needed emphasis on major maintenance and regular upkeep of our parks system. The Council is looking at a final funding package that increases the focus on maintenance while advancing a modest reduction from the Mayor’s proposal overall.

Studying Up on the Minimum Wage

The Council will soon receive a recommendation from Mayor Murray to raise the minimum wage in Seattle. There is a growing consensus in our city and in civic discourse across the country that income and wealth inequality is one of the most pressing issues facing American society. (For quick visualizations of the issue, go to The New Yorker, The Economist, or this fascinating Youtube video.) Inequality and the resulting crisis of affordability are felt particularly strongly in urban areas.

A higher minimum wage is one tool that may help those at the bottom of the income scale and — in the absence of any action at the federal level — cities, counties and states across the country are considering raising their own minimum wage.

If you have been following the coverage about this, you may know that most of the debate has been about the details: What is the number? Is it phased-in over a certain period of time? Do we count just a basic wage or other forms of compensation too? How would the City enforce this?

The Council has been studying up on the issue and hearing from many different stakeholders in the community. If you have ten minutes, I encourage you to read this excellent review of current minimum wage laws and the policy questions facing the City in this debate prepared by Council staff.

To stay engaged with the Council as we move forward, you can sign up to receive emailed notifications of upcoming meetings of the Council’s Select Committee on Minimum Wage and Income Inequality.

Teachers Speak Out for Preschool for All

This week is spring break for Seattle Public Schools, which means we got a special opportunity to hear from elementary and preschool teachers at the Council’s Education and Governance Committee this morning. They delivered powerful testimony about what Preschool for All would mean for them and their classrooms.

The benefits of Preschool for All extend up through the educational system. On our East Coast study mission, we learned Boston Public Schools is now undertaking a review of elementary school curricula because it is no longer challenging enough for the kids coming out of their universal preschool program.

Watch what Seattle’s teachers had to say:

West Seattle Alley Vacation Decision

The City Council has heard from many residents, businesses, labor groups and advocates in favor and opposed to a proposed development at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW in West Seattle. At the intersection of SW Alaska Street and Fauntleroy Way SW, this corner is considered by many to be the gateway to West Seattle as drivers arriving into the area from the West Seattle Bridge will see the building on this block directly in front of them.

The Council’s Transportation Committee voted 5-3 this morning to grant conceptual approval to the vacation of a city-owned alley as long as specific conditions are met. The full Council will vote on Monday, April 21. I voted in support of approving the alley vacation and would like to explain why.

Seattle Neighborhood Summit

Looking for something to do this weekend? Consider attending the Seattle Neighborhood Summit on Saturday morning at the Seattle Center.

The summit will include a chance to meet elected officials, learn more about the City's neighborhood District Council system, get tips from insiders about how to connect with City government, and more!

Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Feds Reinforce Urgent Need for Change in SPD

Two communications from federal officials over the past week reinforced for me the urgent need for change in the leadership ranks of the Seattle Police Department. I know Mayor Murray shares this view and he has taken bold and decisive steps in recent months to initiate change, but the selection of the next permanent police chief will be the most important of all.

The new chief will set the tone for the entire department and will face enormous challenges and opportunities to change the way SPD operates.

On Monday, Merrick Bobb, the federal monitor overseeing our reform efforts, sent a 10-page memorandum to city officials about a new police data management system that must be implemented before the City can achieve compliance with the federal court-mandated consent decree.

The opening paragraphs of this memorandum are a stunning indictment of current practices and systems: