Council Adopts 2022 Budget On Monday the Council acted to adopt the 2022 budget. We have for the last year and half been working to broaden our city’s definition of public safety to, with intention, a. include traditional public safety investments, b. community safety investments so law enforcement can respond to calls only they are […]

West Seattle Bridge Repair Update, November 5 West Seattle Bridge Update The latest is that SDOT is in the final stage of completing the negotiation for the Maximum Allowable Construction Contract (MACC) for repair of the bridge. A complete MACC will mean SDOT can finally issue the Notice to Proceed (NTP) for construction of the […]

This Week in the Budget This week there are no meetings of the Select Budget Committee, as Councilmembers and staff comb through and consider the Proposed 2022 Budget.  The first public hearing is Tuesday, October 12th at 5:30 p.m. Sign up begins at 3:30 p.m. at bit.ly/council-comment.    This is the first of three public hearings. The other […]

West Seattle Bridge Funding Update On Wednesday, the Transportation and Utilities Committee approved legislation accepting grants to SDOT for transportation projects. The legislation now moves to the Full Council for a final vote. Included are four grants related to the West Seattle Bridge. Two of these grants have been announced before: $11.26 million INFRA grant […]

West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force Update The West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force met on August 12. Bridge Updates First of all, SDOT confirmed the project remains on schedule for completion in mid-2022, and provided an update about how future schedule and cost estimates will be determined. As I’ve explained in past blog posts, […]

$11 Million Federal Grant and Notice to Proceed for West Seattle Bridge Repair The City of Seattle has received a $11.2 million federal grant from the US Department of Transportation to help pay for repairs for the West Seattle Bridge. The grant is from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America program. Thanks to Representative Jayapal, who […]

Keep Cool This Week: Tips, Cooling Locations, Drink Water, Identifying Heat Stroke You’ve probably heard that it’s going to be hot – VERY hot – this weekend and into next week.  That doesn’t happen a lot in Seattle, so here are some tips on keeping cool and safe during extreme heat. Cooling Locations:  The City […]

West Seattle Bridge Update, June 11 Construction schedule update The West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force met on June 10th. The first key update is that work to complete rehabilitation of the West Seattle Bridge is on track for mid-June, 2022. After that, the bridge will need to be tested before it can be open […]

Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation June 4 is the observance of the 7th National Gun Violence Awareness Day.  The Wear Orange campaign begins the weekend of June 4th – 6th, 2021.  The Greater Seattle Moms Demand Action joined the City Council meeting this week to receive a proclamation in recognition. Orange is the color chosen […]

Reflections on the 1 Year Commemoration of the Murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Officers May 25th marked the one year anniversary of the death of George Floyd. I made the following comments at the beginning of the Public Safety and Human Services committee the morning of the 25th: The Seattle Times ran a […]