Our New Mayor

 “What’s happening at City Hall?”   Oh my. It’s true we’ve had three Mayors in a week and the transition has been frankly challenging.   Big thanks to all who have sent notes of encouragement, and special thanks to Council President Bruce Harrell who decided to stay on the Council for the next two years.  We need his steady hand and vision.  And, I am confident our City is in competent hands with Mayor Tim Burgess, my friend and colleague for over ten years.  He will serve as Mayor until the Mayoral election is certified on November 28. 

Uptown's Framework for the Future: Rezones and More

On Tuesday in the Planning, Land Use and Zoning Committee (PLUZ), my colleagues and I voted unanimously to pass the Uptown Rezone recommendations as amended (Council Bill 119055) and a Companion Resolution (Resolution 31772) identifying future City actions and a work program for Uptown and Seattle Center. 

This vote is the culmination of over four years of community discussion and analysis to develop Uptown’s Framework for the Future. This legislation takes important strides in realizing the vision established in the Uptown Urban Design Framework, including increased building capacity for residences and businesses, urban design guidelines, and infrastructure investments to create a vibrant, inclusive, and affordable Uptown.  

My goal throughout this process has been to build on recommendations from our community.  As the Uptown Urban Design Framework concluded, we want to showcase and promote the richness of Uptown’s artistic and cultural character, and build affordable housing in Uptown at the same time. I believe the legislation will do just that.  

As recommended by members of the PLUZ committee, allowable heights will be increased to 85’ in the Heart of Uptown.  The proposed amendment 125’ along the Mercer/Roy corridor is dead.  This adoption of 85’ will allow for better design and more residential units near the future Seattle Center Light Rail Station.  It will also provide support for the Art and Cultural Overlay District and promote development of more affordable housing in Uptown right now. 

I want to recognize Debi Frausto and Rick Hooper for their tireless work and efforts in Uptown, reaching back to the early days of the Uptown Alliance and the neighborhood council.  The businesses and residents of Uptown are lucky to have Debi and Rick’s voices at work for all of us.   I also want to thank members of the Ward Street Alliance and all other community members who came to our public meetings, and dedicated their positive ideas, skills, and time. 

The Budget Begins

This week marks the beginning of Budget Season. On Wednesday, we held our first budget background briefings on the Seattle Department of Transit (SDOT), Seattle Human Services Department (HSD), and the Seattle Police Department (SPD).  As prescribed by City rules, Mayor Burgess will present the Executive Budget this Monday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m.  

International Day of Peace - Thursday, September 21

For the past month, I have supported Seattle Rotary to organize a rally recognizing September 21, 2017 as International Day of Peace. The United Nations first declared this day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and people, in 1981.  

Yesterday afternoon, leaders in the faith community including Taijo Imanaka of the Koyasan Buddhist Temple, Aneelah Afzali of the American Muslim Empowerment Network, Rev. Linda Smith of the Church of Mary Magdalene and many other community leaders joined in a public observance in City Hall Plaza. 

Each year the United Nations General Assembly adopts a theme and this year’s is, ‘Together for Peace: Respect, Safety, and Dignity for All.’ 

We couldn’t have a more appropriate theme in a year where division has threatened the safety and health of others across our nation and world.  In keeping with the concept of “Respect, Safety, and Dignity for All, I am committed to work with our state and federal leaders to increase access to affordable health care for all.  I am dedicated to replacing negativity with respect at public meetings, and to listen to others with kindness, especially those who may espouse opinions different than the established norms.

Like my good friend Mark Larson said, quoting his father Rev. Bruce Larson, “Peace is more than a lack of war.” It demands respect, forgiveness, grace and redemption. 

Locally, coming together for peace requires us to embrace solutions to big problems such as housing the homeless with a united effort.  I told the crowd that I had been scolded by a woman during recent a public comment period in City Hall.  She alleged that the UN Proclamation was only words.  I agree with that speaker that attaining peace in our city requires us to do more than sign proclamations.  We must recognize that inequality is real, that we must make investments so no one is hungry, no one is ignored, no one goes without access to health care, no one is left behind.  Peace in our city requires each of us to give a little more than we take every day.  

Firearm Surrender Program

Last year, I championed funding for three positions for Seattle’s firearm program, and as the program grows it continues to show just how critical the work is.  Yesterday I sponsored a resolution in the Board of Health, passed unanimously, urging the increase of funding for a smoothly functioning firearm surrender program.

We got a good start last year.  On March 29, 2017, the City Attorney’s office utilized the new firearm surrender program for the first time.  In a joint City-County effort, attorneys from the City Attorney’s Office and King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reviewed the domestic violence calendar docket and contacted victims and employers to see if the defendants were telling the truth about whether guns were in the home. 

In the program’s first week, the Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office recovered eleven guns from the homes of people who were not legally allowed to own a firearm.  Each had denied ownership when asked by the judge. 

I am immensely grateful that King County Executive Dow Constantine recently proposed $650,000 for the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Offices and the Sheriff’s Office to further develop the Firearm Surrender Program. This is exactly the kind of investment and partnership we need to make true impacts in our community. 

This budget season I will work to obtain one more Program Manager to coordinate the work between King County courts and the City’s Municipal Court.  We can reduce gun violence and gun injuries by dedicating four police officers to the Domestic Violence unit to help issue search warrants and gun surrender orders.

Sally Bagshaw

Email: Sally.Bagshaw@seattle.gov
Phone: (206) 684-8801
Online: Council Website

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