Council Briefing - June 15, 2024

This June 16, 2025 Seattle City Council briefing featured **six councilmembers** discussing upcoming committee work, federal immigration enforcement concerns, and local policy priorities. Key participants included Council President, Councilmembers Rinck, Rivera, Solomon, Strauss, and Hollingsworth, with Councilmembers Saka and Moore excused. **Major Policy Items:** - **EMS Levy renewal** moving through committee process with final vote scheduled June 17th - **AI rent price-fixing legislation** introduced to ban algorithmic rent coordination - **Comprehensive Plan amendments** with public hearing scheduled June 23rd - **Police Chief confirmation** for Chief Barnes scheduled for tomorrow's meeting - **Budget reform measures** including 2024 exceptions ordinance and early bond redemption **Critical Timeline:** - June 17: Final EMS Levy vote - June 18: Multiple committee meetings on crime prevention and planning - June 23: Major Comprehensive Plan public hearing - June 25: Amendment concepts due for Comprehensive Plan

### EMS Levy Renewal Program **Background context:** The Emergency Medical Services levy is moving through an expedited timeline due to ballot requirements, with the final council vote scheduled for June 17th. **Current status:** - Committee has 12 amendments under consideration - 20 minutes of public comment scheduled for Thursday's meeting - Councilmember Rivera chairs the select committee overseeing the process **Technical details:** This represents a critical funding mechanism for Seattle's emergency medical response system, requiring voter approval for continuation of services. ### AI Rent Price-Fixing Legislation **Background context:** Two identical bills were submitted by Councilmembers Strauss and Moore to ban algorithmic rent coordination software like RealPage. **Current status:** - Council President selected Moore's version for introduction - Legislation mirrors failed Washington State bill that passed Senate but died in House - **800,000 leases** in Washington were priced using RealPage software between 2017-2024 **Technical details:** - Targets software that allows landlords to share confidential pricing information - Washington Attorney General's investigation found higher rents and vacancy rates where software was used - Aims to prevent anti-competitive practices in rental market ### Comprehensive Plan Updates **Background context:** Major citywide planning update incorporating state House Bill 1110 requirements for housing density. **Current status:** - **June 23rd public hearing** with split virtual/in-person format - **June 25th deadline** for councilmember amendment concepts - Councilmember Hollingsworth emphasizing strict timeline adherence **Technical details:** - Virtual comment: 8:30-10:00 AM signup, 9:30 AM start - In-person comment: 2:30-6:30 PM signup, 3:00 PM start - Four-hour window for in-person testimony

### Federal Immigration Enforcement Response **Key alliances:** Councilmembers Rinck and Hollingsworth leading vocal opposition to Trump administration immigration policies. **Strategic motivations:** - **Sanctuary city positioning** as federal enforcement escalates - **Community protection messaging** ahead of potential local enforcement conflicts - **Police department relationship** questions around federal cooperation **Power dynamics:** Council positioning itself as protective barrier between federal enforcement and immigrant communities, with upcoming police chief confirmation creating strategic leverage point. ### Police Chief Confirmation Politics **Strategic positioning:** - Councilmember Rinck planning to question Chief Barnes on federal immigration enforcement cooperation - **Memorial Day weekend incidents** creating backdrop for confirmation hearing - Community expectations around **SPD response protocols** for immigration raids ### Budget Reform Coalition **Key alliances:** Councilmember Strauss leading budget reform efforts with apparent broad council support. **Strategic motivations:** - **Fiscal accountability** messaging through exceptions ordinance - **Efficiency gains** through early bond redemption using interest earnings - **Process improvements** to reduce future budget overruns

### Immediate Opportunities **EMS Levy Public Input:** - **Thursday, June 18th** - Final committee meeting with public comment - Contact select committee members before final June 17th vote - Focus on service level priorities and funding adequacy **Comprehensive Plan Engagement:** - **June 23rd public hearing** - Major opportunity for neighborhood input - **Virtual option:** 9:30 AM start, signup begins 8:30 AM - **In-person option:** 3:00 PM start, signup 2:30-6:30 PM ### Key Decision Points - **June 17:** Final EMS Levy vote - **June 18:** Police Chief confirmation hearing - **June 25:** Councilmember amendment deadline for Comprehensive Plan - **July timeline:** AI rent-fixing legislation committee process ### Contact Strategies **Police Chief Confirmation:** - Attend **tomorrow's Public Safety Committee meeting** - Submit questions in advance to committee chair - Focus on **community policing priorities** and **federal cooperation policies** **Housing Affordability:** - Contact Housing Committee members on AI rent-fixing legislation - Emphasize **anti-competitive practices** and **affordability impacts** - Reference Washington AG investigation findings

### Related Policies **Housing Affordability Package:** - AI rent-fixing legislation connects to broader affordability strategy - Comprehensive Plan density requirements under HB 1110 - **Transportation Levy** appointments suggesting coordinated infrastructure planning **Public Safety Integration:** - EMS Levy renewal coordinated with police staffing discussions - **Real-time crime center** implementation mentioned in community meetings - Federal immigration enforcement creating local law enforcement policy questions ### Upcoming Milestones - **June 17:** EMS Levy final vote - **June 18:** Multiple committee meetings on crime prevention, golf course contracts, SPU audit - **June 23:** Comprehensive Plan public hearing - **Summer 2025:** Comprehensive Plan amendment process - **2026:** FIFA World Cup preparation activities ### Cross-cutting Themes **Federal-Local Tension:** Immigration enforcement creating policy challenges across multiple departments **Infrastructure Investment:** EMS, transportation, and utility investments suggesting coordinated capital planning **Community Engagement:** Multiple public hearings and community meetings indicating responsive governance approach

### Budget Implications **EMS Levy:** Specific funding amounts not disclosed in meeting, but represents major ongoing operational funding for emergency medical services. **Bond Redemption:** Early payoff using **interest earnings from other bonds** - creative financial management reducing long-term debt service costs. **Budget Exceptions Ordinance:** Retroactive adjustments for **2024 budget overruns** - amount "dropped considerably" from previous years, indicating improved budget management. ### Procedural Insights **Committee Process:** EMS Levy receiving expedited treatment due to ballot timeline requirements - unusual deviation from standard two-meeting rule. **Comprehensive Plan Timeline:** **Strict deadline enforcement** by committee chair indicates high stakes and complex coordination requirements with state mandates. **Executive Session:** 45-minute litigation discussion suggests ongoing legal matters requiring council attention. ### Implementation Challenges **Street Lighting Crisis:** **Seattle City Light backlog** creating public safety concerns - not just bulb replacement but **copper wire theft** requiring infrastructure redesign. **Police Staffing:** Ongoing recruitment challenges affecting precinct operations and community response capabilities. **Federal Coordination:** Immigration enforcement creating operational challenges for local departments and community trust issues.