The Council is cranking through lots of business before they take their summer recess in August.
At Monday morning’s Council Briefing, there will be an update from the Office of Intergovernmental Relations on its lobbying efforts with the federal government. They will also have an executive session to discuss legal matters, possibly including Council member Gonzalez’s request last week to lay out procedures for the Council if Mayor Murray steps down or if the Council decides to pursue removing him from office.
Monday afternoon’s Full Council meetings will be a long one, with 33 items on the agenda. They include:
- an update to the Priority Hire program;
- an ordinance increasing the size of several commissions managed by the Office of Civil Rights;
- Several appointments to the International Affairs Advisory Board;
- Ratifying the city’s agreement with WSDOT on funding for the redevelopment of Alaskan Way;
- Two contract rezones;
- Approval of new Design Guidelines for Mount Baker and Pike/Pine;
- The MHA rezone of sections of 23rd Avenue, along with a companion resolution specifying other commitments the Council is making to the area;
- Approval of the preferred route for the new Roosevelt RapidRide bus line;
- An update to the city’s transit classification street map.
This week’s Introduction and Referral Calendar has several items of note:
- an internal loan because improvements to King Street Station’s third floor are running late and over budget;
- a new SPU contract for organic waste processing services;
- an ordinance releasing funds designated for the Burke Museum, The Nordic Heritage Museum, Town Hall, and Hugo House. The Council allocated the money in the 2017 budget, but held it until the city could provide agreements specifying the public benefits the city would get in return for the funding.
- An ordinance allowing Seattle City Light to sell of surplus property at 8th and Roy;
- an ordinance encouraging taller, skinnier buildings in part of the downtown core district.
Monday evening, the Planning, Land Use and Zoning Committee meets to hold a public hearing on potential items to include in the annual update to the Comprehensive Plan.
Tuesday morning, the Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development and Arts Committee meets. On its agenda:
- Discussion and possible vote on the Fair Chance Housing ordinance;
- Further discussion on the six-year rate plan for Seattle Public Utilities;
- the previously-mentioned funding for Burke Museum, Nordic Heritage Museum, Town Hall and Hugo House;
- the previously-mentioned inter-fund loan for the King Street Station work.
Tuesday afternoon, the Energy and Environment Committee meets. On it agenda:
- A report from Seattle City Light General Manager Larry Weis;
- Continuing discussion on SCL’s retail revenue shortfall and possible rate adjustments;
- Discussion of SCL load forecasting;
- The aforementioned surplus property at 8th and Roy.
Wednesday morning, the Gender Equity, Safe Communities, and New Americans Committee meets. The agenda has not yet been published, but it’s expected that the committee will once again take up the surveillance technology ordinance, and possibly start considering amendments.
Wednesday afternoon, the Human Services and Public Health Committee meets. The agenda has not yet been published, but it will likely continue work on the ordinance to allow taller, skinnier towers downtown.