Tim Burgess' City View

Response to NBA Decision

The NBA’s decision today is very disappointing to me and the thousands of Sonics fans in our city. I remain hopeful that Seattle can once again be home to NBA basketball in the coming years. Chris Hansen and his partners have displayed amazing commitment in their efforts to secure a team for Seattle’s fans. The City’s role has always been to prepare for a team should one be available. We will be prepared.

Seattle Channel Video on Nurse-Family Partnership

The Seattle Channel's CityStream show has a great new five-minute feature about The Nurse-Family Partnership. It shows why the Council keeps increasing funding for this very effective program.

A Safe and Clean Downtown

A safe and clean downtown is something we all want for our city. Taking a big step toward that end, the City Council voted unanimously yesterday to renew the Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) for 10 years and expand it to Belltown.

The MID is one of the city’s nonprofit Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) where landowners pay special assessments to contract with private firms that provide additional trash pick-up, alley cleaning and other services that make the neighborhood cleaner and safer. The Council considered this renewal and expansion after it was presented to the Council in a petition signed by a significant majority of the would-be MID ratepayers. Because state law limits City government’s ability to raise revenues, BIAs have become an important tool for business districts throughout Seattle to raise their own revenue to make their sidewalks, buildings and streets more inviting to residents and customers.  

Consistent with our focus on results, the Council amended the proposal to require a performance audit of the MID to ensure that these beneficial services continue to be provided in an effective manner.

Council Acts on Gun Safety

The City Council demonstrated leadership on gun safety today when my committee voted to fund a new public health gun safety package. 

According to previous news reports, the City of Seattle would be the first in the nation to provide direct funding for basic research into the causes and effects of gun violence.

Partnering with the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center and public health agencies, the $370,500 proposal will spur long-stalled research on gun violence and enhance the City and County’s response to mental health crises resulting from tragedies.

While our leaders in Olympia and Washington, D.C. failed to enact gun safety legislation this year, Seattle is demonstrating its leadership by taking positive action today. The people of Seattle overwhelmingly support doing everything we can to increase gun safety. This funding will jump-start research blocked by the National Rifle Association and build the same emergency response system used by the Red Cross.

The public health gun safety package includes two additions to the Mayor’s 1^st Quarter Supplemental budget detailed below.

More Detail on Looming Transit Cuts

The Council received another briefing this morning from King County Metro officials about potential service cuts if the State legislature doesn't take action and provide funding options for transit agencies. The impact of the cuts (a 17% loss of service) would be disastrous for Seattle and the greater region; the red lines on the map to the left are routes that would be potentially eliminated, reduced or revised. 

Transportation is the backbone of a robust economy and public transit is essential to that vitality. 

Seattle is the largest job center in the state. An estimated two-thirds of the City’s 200,000 daily commuters don’t drive; they rely on a quality transit network. The legislature’s failure thus far to fund Metro service is a direct blow to these commuters and will mean decreased service and increased gridlock for many of us who live and work in and around Seattle. The legislature’s inaction could also have a cascading effect through the system as bus routes are eliminated and riders compete for space on other already-crowded routes. 

Moving Beyond the Status Quo to Provide More Workforce Housing

The following article was sent out in my City View Newsletter, which you can sign up to receive here.

Today the City Council approved bold amendments to the zoning legislation that will positively impact South Lake Union for a generation. In February, I articulated my three guiding principles focused on fairness as the City Council considered a major increase in housing and office density for the neighborhood:

1. Increase benefits to the public in exchange for value given to the private sector.
2. Build homes for our workforce.
3. Support our public school system.

I am pleased to report that, after collaborating with economists, local businesses and affordable housing advocates, we are on a path to achieve all of these goals.

Together we passed in committee a sensible solution that brings affordable workforce housing to the City’s hottest real estate market far above the level called for in the Mayor’s original proposal. Now many more nurses, school teachers, construction workers and other working families can call this booming neighborhood home.

Timeline Established for Public Campaign Finance Review

The Council has established a timeline for reviewing a recommendation from the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission for a system that would publicly fund campaigns for City Council. Washington State law allows local jurisdictions to create these systems if approved by the voters. The Council will decide whether or not to propose a system for consideration at the ballot box in November.

If we ask the voters to support a public campaign finance system, it is very important to clearly articulate the goals we want to accomplish. The academic literature shows mixed results at best when evaluating whether such programs achieve many of the goals touted by program advocates, including increased electoral competitiveness and lower election costs. On the other hand, some reviews of New York City’s campaign finance program show it has engaged much broader cross-sections of the public in the electoral process.

It’s the right time to explore new ways to engage Seattle in the electoral process. This city has long been at the forefront in upholding fair elections, but we should learn from others about what can be achieved through a public campaign finance system.

Pacific Place Garage: To Sell or Not To Sell?

After months of review, my committee made a decision last week to hold legislation that would have authorized the sale of the Pacific Place Garage owned by the City. (We try not to use the term “Pacific Place Garage Sale,” because that sounds like a bargain shopper’s dream and not the sale of a piece of subterranean urban infrastructure worth tens of millions of dollars.) It was not an easy or simple decision, so I thought it would be good to explain the Council’s review process in greater detail. But first, some background.

My First Car2Go Experience: Wow!

I was in Washington D.C. last week for a quick discussion on early childhood education opportunities and to visit one of my daughters and granddaughter.

The cherry blossoms weren't fully out yet, but I did get to use my Car2Go membership for the first time. I used the service three separate times on Friday and Saturday for a total cost of $28.42, far less than a rental car or a taxi.

Each time I needed a car I opened the Car2Go app on my iPhone, located the closest available vehicle and reserved it. A handy walking map guided me to the car—they’re all Smart Cars—where I placed my membership card against the front windshield sensor. Presto! I was verified as the member who reserved the car and the doors unlocked. Once inside, I entered my PIN using the navigation touch screen and withdrew the ignition key from its dashboard holder. Done. I pulled away from the curb and was on my way.

Response to the Announced Retirement of Chief Diaz

I thank Chief Diaz for his 33 years of dedicated service to the people of Seattle. The life of a police officer is rarely an easy one and John has served this city faithfully.

This is a critical time for our police department. New leadership is necessary for implementing the reforms that will lead us to where we should be focused: more effective and evidence-based policing, preventing crime rather than just responding to it after it has occurred, and improved police-community relations.

Chief Diaz’s retirement gives us an opportunity to move forward with new leadership. The chief of police is one of the most important positions in city government.