While most of the attention was on the police accountability legislation today, several other things happened that are noteworthy.
- This afternoon the Council passed into law a “police observer bill of rights” sponsored by Council member Herbold. It affirms the rights of Seattle residents to observe, record and comment on police officers performing their duties as long as they don’t interfere with the police activity.
- Wednesday morning in the GESCNA committee, SPD will brief the Council on the recent spate of shooting incidents, and learn about the police department’s plans to address the increase in gun violence over the summer months.
- Council member Gonzalez noted this morning that her office is getting calls related to the recently-passed legal defense fund for immigrants going through immigration proceedings. She reported that there is misinformation spreading that the city is offering funding directly to individuals; rather, it will be making grants to legal defense organizations to then provide support free of charge.
- Council member Bagshaw reported that next week her committee will be holding a joint meeting with its King County Council counterpart, at which the results of the 2017 Count Us In survey of homeless people (previously known as the One Night Count) will be released.
- Council member Herbold noted that the Finance and Administrative Services department has entered into an MOU with the Office of Civil Rights on the ongoing role of OCR to monitor unsanctioned homeless encampment cleanups.
- Council member Juarez announced that her committee has reviewed and approved a new contract between the Seattle Storm and the Seattle Center, and that contract will come before the full Council for final approval on May 30th.
- Council member Sawant said that Seattle City Light will make two presentations at her Energy and Environment committee meeting tomorrow. The first is a report on delays and cost overruns to the AMI digital meter program rollout, and the second is a discussion of SCL’s projected revenue shortfalls (around $30 million) and options for resolving the problem.
- Council member Burgess noted that Wednesday morning his committee will continue its deliberations on the proposed soda tax, and consider the appointments of the first nine members of the Community Involvement Commission, a piece of the Department of Neighborhoods’ replacement for Neighborhood and District Councils.