Parks, Public Utilities & Technology Committee - June 10, 2024

The Parks, Public Utilities, and Technology Committee convened on June 16, 2025, for an 83-minute session addressing three significant policy items. **Chair Hollingsworth** presided over discussions involving **current use taxation for open space preservation**, **golf course management agreements**, and **Seattle Public Utilities audit results**. ### Key Participants & Outcomes: - **Present**: Councilmembers Kettle, Rivera, Strauss, and Council President Nelson - **Council Bill 120997** (current use taxation) **passed unanimously** with immediate effect - **Golf course management agreement** discussion postponed for additional briefing - **SPU audit results** showed **clean opinions** across all three utility funds ### Major Policy Items: - **$15,500 annual tax reduction** for Indigenous Creatives Collective's 1.4-acre open space preservation - **Premier Golf Centers LLC agreement** covering 500 acres of municipal golf facilities - **Unmodified audit opinions** for Water, Drainage/Wastewater, and Solid Waste utilities

### Current Use Taxation Program (CB 120997) **Background Context:** The **King County Public Benefit Rating System** provides property tax reductions in exchange for long-term open space preservation. This state-authorized program incentivizes private landowners to maintain environmentally beneficial properties by taxing them based on current use rather than highest market value potential. **Current Status:** - **Property**: 9666 51st Avenue South (1.4 acres, nine parcels) - **Applicant**: Indigenous Creatives Collective - **Location**: Adjacent to Kubota Gardens in Rainier Beach - **King County approval**: May 20, 2025 **Technical Details:** - **Point assessment**: 38 points recommended by King County DNRP - **Tax reduction**: 90% decrease in taxable value - **Financial impact**: From $17,000 to $1,500 annually (2024 baseline) - **Property value reduction**: $1.85 million to $185,000 taxable value - **Public access**: Required as condition of approval - **Restoration commitment**: Invasive species removal, native plantings ### Golf Course Management Agreement **Background Context:** Seattle operates **four municipal golf courses** covering approximately 500 acres of parkland. The current agreement with Premier Golf Centers LLC expires, requiring new authorization for continued operations. **Current Status:** - **Facilities**: Jackson Park, Bill Wright Complex (Jefferson Park), Interbay Golf Center, West Seattle Golf Course - **Financial performance**: $19 million revenue, $17 million expenses (2024) - **Capital generation**: $1.3-2 million annually for course improvements - **Self-sufficiency**: No general fund subsidy required **Technical Details:** - **Contract term**: Extended length with $1.5 million capital commitment - **Public benefits**: Formalized reporting requirements, youth programs - **Operations split**: City maintains courses (23 FTE), Premier manages pro shops/programs - **Revenue sharing**: Premier collects fees, reimburses city for maintenance costs

### Coalition Patterns **Unanimous Support Bloc:** All four committee members supported the current use taxation application, demonstrating **cross-district consensus** on environmental preservation initiatives. The **Indigenous Creatives Collective** application particularly resonated due to its equity dimensions and proximity to the beloved Kubota Gardens. **Strategic Positioning:** - **Chair Hollingsworth** emphasized South Seattle community benefits and intergenerational programming - **Councilmember Strauss** focused on environmental integration and coordination with existing parks - **Councilmember Rivera** highlighted mental health benefits and public access equity - **Councilmember Kettle** stressed community center integration and youth engagement **Golf Agreement Dynamics:** **Councilmember Strauss** successfully requested postponement for additional briefing, signaling potential **public benefit amendments**. This strategic delay suggests negotiations around expanded community programming and environmental stewardship requirements. ### Interest Group Influence **Environmental Advocates:** The current use taxation program aligns with **tree canopy goals** and **climate resilience** strategies, creating natural advocacy coalitions. **Golf Industry Stakeholders:** Premier Golf's **youth programming expansion** and **community center partnerships** demonstrate proactive positioning ahead of contract renewal. **Equity Organizations:** The Indigenous Creatives Collective's successful application establishes precedent for **community-controlled open space** preservation.

### Immediate Opportunities **Current Use Taxation Applications:** - **Timeline**: CB 120997 proceeds to full Council on June 17, 2025 - **Action window**: Contact councilmembers before Tuesday vote - **Advocacy focus**: Environmental benefits, community access, equity outcomes **Golf Course Programming:** - **Next committee meeting**: June 25, 2025, at 2:00 PM - **Amendment window**: Public benefit modifications under consideration - **Engagement opportunity**: Community center partnership expansion ### Key Decision Points **Golf Agreement Timeline:** - **Committee vote**: June 25, 2025 (anticipated) - **Full Council**: Early July 2025 (projected) - **Implementation**: Contract effective upon passage **Strategic Contact Approach:** - **Environmental groups**: Emphasize climate benefits and habitat preservation - **Youth advocates**: Highlight expanded programming and mental health benefits - **Equity organizations**: Focus on accessible recreation and community ownership models ### Maximum Impact Strategies **For Current Use Taxation:** - **Emphasize precedent**: This approval enables future community-controlled conservation - **Highlight partnerships**: Collaboration with existing parks infrastructure - **Stress equity**: Indigenous-led environmental stewardship **For Golf Programming:** - **Community integration**: Push for expanded community center partnerships - **Environmental stewardship**: Advocate for enhanced habitat management - **Youth access**: Support free programming expansion

### Related Policies **Environmental Initiatives:** - **Tree canopy preservation goals**: Current use taxation supports 30% canopy target - **Climate resilience planning**: Open space preservation enhances storm water management - **Equitable development**: EDI funding enabled Indigenous Creatives Collective acquisition **Recreation Programming:** - **Community center integration**: Golf programming expansion aligns with Parks strategic plan - **Youth development**: Mental health and violence prevention through recreational access - **Accessibility standards**: Municipal recreation equity requirements ### Upcoming Milestones **Immediate Deadlines:** - **June 17, 2025**: Full Council vote on CB 120997 - **June 25, 2025**: Golf agreement committee consideration - **July 2025**: Anticipated golf contract full Council vote **Implementation Timeline:** - **2026**: Current use taxation benefits begin - **2025-2030**: Golf contract term with capital improvements - **Annual**: Public benefit reporting requirements ### Cross-Cutting Themes **Financial Sustainability:** Both agenda items demonstrate **revenue-neutral** or **revenue-positive** approaches to public benefit delivery, aligning with **fiscal constraint** environment. **Equity Integration:** **Community ownership** (Indigenous Creatives) and **expanded access** (golf programming) reflect systematic equity integration across Parks programming. **Environmental Stewardship:** **Habitat restoration**, **invasive species management**, and **carbon sequestration** connect recreational programming to **climate action** goals.

### Budget Implications **Current Use Taxation:** - **Tax shift**: $15,500 annual reduction spread across all Seattle property owners - **Marginal impact**: Negligible individual taxpayer increase - **Revenue neutrality**: Total city collections unchanged **Golf Operations:** - **Capital investment**: $1.5 million private investment over contract term - **Revenue generation**: $19 million annual gross revenue - **Cost recovery**: 100% operational self-sufficiency - **CIP funding**: $1.3-2 million annual capital improvement transfers ### Procedural Insights **Current Use Process:** - **Dual approval**: Both King County Council and Seattle City Council required - **State framework**: RCW authorization with local implementation - **Enforcement mechanism**: Seven-year back-tax penalty for non-compliance **Golf Contract Structure:** - **Management agreement**: Not concession or lease arrangement - **Risk allocation**: City retains asset ownership, Premier assumes operational risk - **Performance metrics**: Formalized public benefit reporting requirements ### Implementation Challenges **Open Space Monitoring:** - **Annual reporting**: Restoration progress and maintenance compliance - **Enforcement capacity**: City oversight of private land management - **Long-term viability**: Ensuring perpetual conservation commitment **Golf Programming Integration:** - **Community center coordination**: Scaling pilot programs across districts - **Equity measurement**: Tracking demographic diversification outcomes - **Environmental balance**: Recreation use versus habitat preservation **Audit Compliance:** - **Multi-utility complexity**: Separate audits for Water, Drainage/Wastewater, Solid Waste - **Bond requirements**: Investor-grade financial reporting standards - **State coordination**: Integration with citywide audit processes