Contents

• Public Hearing on Transportation Impact Fee Comprehensive Plan Amendment
• Little Saigon Public Safety Meeting
• SPD Implements New Policy Regulating Ruses
• Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal Replacement Planning Update, SEPA Delayed Until 2025
• SDOT Releases Climate Change Response Framework
• SDOT Completes Cylinder Installation on Spokane Street (low) Bridge
• New Marion Street Waterfront Pedestrian Bridge Opens November 6

Public Hearing on Transportation Impact Fee Comprehensive Plan Amendment

On Tuesday, November 7^th, the City Council will hold a hearing on Council Bill 120635, which would amend the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan to allow for transportation impact fees if the Council created such a program in the future. The bill would not establish a transportation impact fee program. Any proposal to create an impact fee program would need to be a separate, future action.

The public hearing is scheduled for the November 7 City Council meeting. The remote Public Comment link (sign up here) will become active two hours before the 2 p.m. meeting on the 7^th. In-person testimony will also be taken.  The hearing Notice is at this link.

Background is available at the City Council’s Impact Fees webpage, and my September 15^th and September 8^th newsletters.

A vote is scheduled for November 21^st, depending on the resolution of an appeal before the Hearing Examiner.

To clarify the point that the Comprehensive Plan change does not establish a transportation impact fee program, Councilmember Pedersen and I plan to bring forward an amendment to CB 120635 that would re-insert the word “consider,” so that the Transportation Element reads “Consider use of transportation impact fees” instead of the current proposal that reads “Use transportation impact fees.”

Little Saigon Public Safety Meeting

This Wednesday, I attended a public safety meeting hosted by Friends of Little Saigon to discuss concerns from neighborhood businesses and residents. I was joined by West Precinct Captain Steven Strand, the Mayor’s Public Safety Advisor Cindy Wong, SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Barb Biando, Chinatown- International District (CID) Public Safety Advisor Monica Le, and Clean City Initiative Advisor Tom Van Bronkhorst.

Last year, my Public Safety and Human Services committee hosted a Neighborhood Business Districts Public Safety Presentation, where Quynh Pham (Friends of Little Saigon) and Monisha Singh (CID BIA) were among the presenters.  This week’s meeting in the CID was another opportunity to hear from small business owners about their ongoing concerns about public safety in the area.  I was able to share with these business owners the work that the Council is doing to benefit the CID in the budget process.  Here are some examples.

• Funds to support the revival of the CID night market and activation
• $500k for expanded cleaning services in the CID
• Maintaining CID historic alleys as activated spaces to support pedestrian use and more visibility and safety with Seattle Public Utilities evaluation of the Clear Alleys Program in the CID and alternative waste removal solutions.
• King County Metro Transit Ambassadors on Metro buses that pass through downtown Seattle, to respond to people in crisis.
• Evaluation of how to increase 911 staffing levels by 30 percent to reduce call wait and response times.
• Additional funding for programming to address gun violence in our communities

As a result of the Council’s previous CID Public Safety Work and following the tragic death of public safety advocate Donnie Chin, Council added funding to implement the CID Public Safety Taskforce Recommendations submitted to Council in 2016.   These funds were first approved in 2017 to hire the CID Public Safety Coordinator, a model that would later be replicated in neighborhoods across the City, including South Park in District 1. Last year the Council added budget funding for behavioral health outreach in the CID, funding two outreach staff specializing in behavioral health support by way of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority.

SPD officers have been doing a focused education campaign in Little Saigon related to buying and selling stolen merchandise.  Participants in Wednesday’s meeting were also encouraged to sign up for SPD’s Trespass Program.  Another great resource to sign up for is Smart 911.  Once you’ve signed up for Smart911, first responders will be aware of important information you have provided that will help Police, Fire, and EMS locate and help you in an emergency.  This can be especially helpful for people with limited English language proficiency because it ensures faster transfer to a 911 operator with translation skills.

SPD will soon implement a new online reporting system (hopefully in the next few weeks). SPD has given us a commitment that it will finally add in-language capabilities to this system next year, where their current system has been in place for years, only in English.

SPD Implements New Policy Regulating Ruses

The Seattle Police Department has adopted a policy on ruses, the first of its kind in the country. The Ruse Policy went into effect on November 1.

In early 2022, I stood with Mayor Harrell to call for the creation of a first-in-the-nation ruse policy following not only the Proud Boys ruse but also an especially egregious incident several years ago, and the OPA recommendations that resulted. When the OPA (Office of Police Accountability) makes a policy recommendation, SPD has the responsibility to consider the recommendation and implement it. This is one measure of a responsive accountability system.  I thank Converge Media as well; it is their questions that resulted in the OPA launching an investigation when OPA couldn’t identify body camera video from the officers who had claimed to be tracking the Proud Boys.”

I thank the Mayor’s Office, Seattle Police Department, and Inspector General for their work to develop this policy.  The Office of Police Accountability released the investigation that provided the impetus for this policy.

The SPD Policy begins with,

“The public expects law enforcement officers to be truthful and transparent in their interactions with the community they serve. The community also rightfully expects their law enforcement officers to fulfill law enforcement objectives in a manner that promotes the safety of all involved.

This policy recognizes that patrol ruses may serve an important role in mitigating the inherent risk in some activities and may promote a vital community safety interest, while at the same time recognizing that any act of deception, regardless of intent, when improper, may detrimentally impact the public’s trust in the department and may undermine law enforcement efforts.”

The Mayor’s press release is copied below.

Seattle – Today, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the implementation of the nation’s first policy governing the use of police patrol ruses. This policy, developed by the Seattle Police Department (SPD), was informed by a robust stakeholder process led by Seattle’s Office of Inspector General for Public Safety (OIG). Mayor Harrell directed SPD to develop a new policy governing the use of ruses after cases in 2018 and 2020 undermined public trust and confidence.

“Effective public safety requires community buy-in, and this new policy is an important step to build understanding with the public, demonstrating that for SPD operations to be successful, they must be paired with a commitment to unbiased, constitutional policing,” said Mayor Harrell. “This innovative new policy will lead to better police work thanks to the voices of many, including the media who brought attention to this tactic, community members who called for guidelines to match our values, and Seattle accountability and police leaders who developed a plan to make that vision real.”

Under existing laws, officers are permitted to use a ruse – a statement an officer knows is not true – in limited circumstances. High profile cases in 2018 and 2020 that undermined public trust led elected and community leaders to call into question the lack of specific guidance on when ruses could be used and to what extent.

“I stood with Mayor Harrell to call for the creation of a first-in-the-nation ruse policy following not only the Proud Boys ruse but also an especially egregious incident several years ago, and the OPA recommendations that resulted,” said Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1, West Seattle & South Park). “When the OPA makes a policy recommendation, SPD has the responsibility to consider the recommendation and implement it. This is one measure of a responsive accountability system.  I thank Converge Media as well; it is their questions that resulted in the OPA launching an investigation when OPA couldn’t identify body camera video from the officers who had claimed to be tracking the Proud Boys.”

The Ruse Policy recognizes that while this tactic may be necessary in specific situations to support public safety, the need and conditions for its use should be strongly and clearly defined. The new ruse policy sets substantial guardrails around the use of ruses, limiting the use by patrol officers to five scenarios.

The policy defines appropriate uses of ruses for de-escalation and investigation, while also creating clear accountability through requirements for documentation, supervisor approval, and protections for juveniles. The policy prohibits ruses broadcast via mass media or false promises regarding prosecution, as well those that plainly “shock the conscience.”

“The Seattle Police department engaged in an in-depth review on the use of ruses, facilitated by the Office of the Inspector General,” said Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz. “This first-in-nation policy balances the legitimate use of deception, especially for de-escalation and the safety of all persons, with supervision, documentation, and clear prohibition of ruses that compromise public trust.”

Significant input informing the policy’s development was generated through series of roundtable discussions with accountability experts and law enforcement stakeholders led by OIG, the City office charged with independent civilian oversight of police policies and practices. Additional insight supporting policy development came from the OIG Sentinel Event Review that examined SPD’s response to protests in 2020 – a response which included the use of a ruse.

Based on research in the policy development process and discussions with the Major Cities Chiefs Association, this is the first such city policy on patrol ruses in the United States, continuing Seattle’s long tradition of public safety innovation rooted in accountability and a commitment to building public confidence.

“It is gratifying to have a first of its kind policy addressing the use of deception by patrol officers. This policy is the culmination of a collaborative effort between SPD, OIG, and a variety of stakeholders who came together to discuss complex issues around community trust and the use of ruses and deception by police,” said Inspector General for Public Safety Lisa Judge. “I am grateful to ACLU Washington, Innocence Project, the Public Defender Association, the Community Police Commission, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, who, among other stakeholders, joined OIG and SPD to develop recommendations that informed this policy. We acknowledge that more work must be done in the arena of using deception in investigations and interrogations, but this is a big first step forward in providing guidance and guardrails around using ruses – a particular concern raised by the Seattle community.”

The policy will continue to be evaluated and refined based on the now required documentation and new data. The policy also provides an objective standard by which officers’ conduct can be evaluated, creating a framework to hold them accountable when violations occur.

Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal Replacement Planning Update, SEPA Delayed Until 2025

The Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal Executive Advisory Committee, of which I am a member, met on October 18^{th.  T}he Community Advisory Committee met on the 25^th.

The biggest news is that it will take about a year and a half longer to begin formal environmental review. SEPA and NEPA environmental analysis required under state and federal law are now scheduled to begin in 2025. Previously, the Planning & Environmental linkages (PEL) planning study was planned to end around now, identifying different alternatives to study in SEPA and NEPA.

The additional time is for a few key reasons. First, the approach to begin SEPA and NEPA around now did not include identification of a preferred alternative. The new timeline will include one preferred alternative and one no action alternative, as required by the Federal Transit Administration. In addition, this will allow for additional study and development of alternatives, including for use of Good to Go passes used for tolls (e.g. the SR99 tunnel) and advance ticketing, as proposed by community members.

On one hand, I’m glad the additional time will allow for more serious consideration of the community options. On the other hand, I have some concerns.  In the meeting I asked the question of whether the “no action” alternative could include the traffic management options requested by the community, such as use of Good to Go passes and advance ticketing.  The response was that a no action alternative could not include these elements.

I have this concern because all the options are at least 18 feet wider, and some of the options that include the current vehicle capacity include a slightly longer dock.

The SEPA/NEPA review is scheduled for 2025 through 2027.

There are several potential options includes in Level 3 of the PEL study, based on two overarching concepts: 1) maintaining the current vehicle capacity of the terminal, and 2) expanding vehicle capacity.  It’s important to limit the impact on the community; most ferry terminals are not in residential neighborhoods. 

Another new feature of the options is that they include changes to the intersection adjacent to the terminal, though details aren’t yet available.

Option A includes a dock with four lanes, and capacity for 76 vehicles, with 110 spaces on Fauntleroy Way. The dock would be 8-feet shorter than the current dock, and 18 feet wider.

Alternatives A-1, A-2 and A-3 match the existing capacity of 84 vehicles. A-2 adds use of Good to Go; A-3 adds advance ticketing. All three include a dock that is 41 feet longer than the current dock. Options A, A-1, A-2 and A-3 are 18 feet wider than the current dock; the report states this is to provide space for a large truck to turn onto the dock.

Alternative B is a longer and larger dock, with 124 vehicles, with capacity for 62 on Fauntleroy Way, and four lanes. It is 18 feet wider, and 100 feet longer than options A-1, A-2, and A-3.

B-1 has capacity for 155 vehicles, and five lanes. It is 27 feet wider than the current dock.

B-2 has four full lanes, and two partial lanes, with the same 155 vehicle capacity, with 31 spaces on Fauntleroy Way. It is 250 feet longer than the existing dock, and 36 feet wider.

B-3 has capacity for 124 vehicles, with three lanes, and two partial lanes. It is 226 feet longer than the current dock, and 36 feet wider.

Alternative C includes capacity for 186 vehicles, with five 620’ and two 300’ feet holding lanes, and no space on Fauntleroy Way. It is 240 feet longer and 45 feet wider than the existing dock.

Here’s a link to the WSDOT Summary of Level 3 Alternatives, with additional details. Here’s a link to the slides shared at the Community Advisory Group meeting.

SDOT Releases Climate Change Response Framework

In October SDOT released its Climate Change response framework to reduce transportation emissions.

Here’s the Climate Response website. SDOT’s announcement is here. The framework includes 27 strategies across 6 categories.

60% of GHG emissions in Seattle come from transportation.

SDOT Completes Cylinder Installation on Spokane Street (low) Bridge

SDOT provided an update about the successful reinstallation of the turn cylinder on the Spokane Street (low) Bridge. They completed this work earlier in October.

Turn cylinders push and pull on the lift cylinder to rotate the bridge span, allowing it to open and close. Additional information, including about forthcoming work in 2024, and several informative photos, are available at SDOT’s update.

The new seals and wearing band on the turn cylinder’s newly machined piston are critical to keeping the pressurized system working. Photo credit: SDOT.

New Marion Street Waterfront Pedestrian Bridge Opens November 6

A new pedestrian bridge over Alaskan Way on the Downtown waterfront will open on Monday, November 6. The project is a partnership between the City and WSDOT.

The new permanent bridge, at Marion Street, offers a direct connection between First Avenue and the Colman Dock Ferry Terminal, with ferry service to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton. The former bridge carried an estimated 5 million people per year before the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct in 2019. The new bridge is made of cast-in-place concrete and is post-tensioned to span over Alaskan Way without the need for any median supports.

Additional details are available on the SDOT blog update, and the Office of the Waterfront Marion Street Pedestrian Bridge project page.

Photo credit: Tim Rice

 

Posted: November 3rd, 2023 under Councilmember Herbold