Efforts to deal with the homelessness crisis in Seattle dominate the news this morning because of two events that happened yesterday.
First, as I reported yesterday, the City Council was briefed by the deputy mayor, FAS, and HSD on the protocols for removing unauthorized homeless encampments — and it was not pretty. Seattle Weekly, The Stranger, SeattleMet, and Seattlish all report on the confrontational briefing.
Also as widely rumored ahead of time, Mayor Ed Murray announced the creation of two encampments especially for people living out of their vehicles. Those encampments will be up and running in a month, and until then three streets have been identified where cars and RV’s can be parked and where city services will be provided. Q13, KING5, Seattle Herald, Seattle PI, C is for Crank, and Seattle Times all report on the announcement.
In other news, the Seattle Times reports that the Seattle School Board will vote tonight on accepting a grant approved by the Seattle City Council to expand its free bus pass program for students.
The Stranger reports that a majority of City Council members are pushing the Seattle Police Department to put its database of civilian complaints and disciplinary findings online by the end of March.
MyNorthwest covers Council member Mike O’Brien’s push for more backyard cottages.
The Austin American-Statesman has a column on the yet-to-be-confirmed new CEO of Seattle City Light Larry Weis, who recently made critical comments about his former bosses, the Austin City Council. Weis will go before Council member Kshama Sawant’s Energy and Environment Committee next week.