Yesterday in the Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development and Arts Committee, the proposed tax increase for solid waste services and the accompanying rate increases for Seattle Public Utilities were approved and sent on to the full Council for final approval next week.
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News roundup: Minimum wage, secure scheduling, conversion therapy
Good morning! Kshama Sawant is making noise at the DNC in Philadelphia, but back here in Seattle it’s going to be a very busy week…
Continue readingA look at Seattle’s recycling program and plastic bag ban
This morning the Council heard a report on SPU’s recycling program and an update on the city’s plastic bag ban. There was much encouraging news.
Continue readingHow NCIS Went Badly Wrong
Thanks to a public disclosure request and some helpful folks at SPU’s public information office, I got copies of the monthly reports of Tim Almond, the QA consultant for the troubled NCIS project. NCIS is the new billing and customer-service IT system for Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities that has been under development for the last two and a half years, and is now a year late and $43 million over their original budget. Almond’s monthly reports paint a harrowing picture of a project that went wrong early, often, and predictably.
Continue readingUtility discount program gets a boost
The city’s Utility Discount Program, which gives a break to low-income residents on their Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities bills, is great but underutilized. But that’s changing quickly.
Continue readingIs there lead in Seattle’s drinking water?
First there was Flint, Michigan’s horrific revelations of high levels of lead in the city’s water supply. Last week, Tacoma revealed that it had found high levels of lead in samples taken from older homes, and this morning it was reported that two Tacoma schools tested for lead in its water last year. This has raised questions about whether the residents of Seattle should also be concerned about lead in their water. This morning, officials from Seattle Public Utilities briefed the City Council on the issue, and the good news is that almost no one in Seattle should be worried. …
Continue readingNew Sewage Control Project Along Ship Canal
The Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee today approved a project that will reduce the overflow of sewage into the Ship Canal.
Continue readingSeattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee: landmarks and Pike Place Market
The Seattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee met this afternoon to receive a report from the Director of SPU, to approve three historical landmarks, and to discuss changes to the Pike Place Market Historical Commission.
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