City Council - June 2, 2024

The June 3, 2025 Seattle City Council meeting was marked by **significant political tension** and **disruptive public comment**, overshadowing substantive policy work. Key participants included Council President Sara Nelson, Councilmembers Hollingsworth, Saka, Solomon, Rivera, Strauss, Kettle, Moore, and Rinck, with **former Councilmember Kshama Sawant** leading organized disruption. **Major policy items approved:** - **Interactive digital kiosks program** ($1.1M annual revenue for downtown improvements) - **Memorial Stadium redevelopment** (public-private partnership, completion by September 2027) - **Seattle Public Utilities infrastructure charges** (increased developer fees to unlock housing development) - **Police accountability reforms** (streamlined complaint investigation process) **Political dynamics:** The meeting was dominated by **organized opposition** to recent ethics law proposals, with Sawant supporters claiming victory in forcing withdrawal of ethics reforms. **Anti-Black racism** directed at Black councilmembers became a major issue, with multiple councilmembers speaking out against discriminatory public comments.

### Interactive Digital Kiosks Program (Resolution 32170) **Background context:** This represents the **first major new physical infrastructure** added to downtown Seattle in years, driven partly by 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations. The program will deploy 80 kiosks in phases - 30 before World Cup, then 50 more across downtown and neighborhood business districts. **Current status:** Resolution passed 7-2 with one amendment adopted. **Key opposition** came from Councilmembers Moore and Rinck, citing concerns about: - **Design Commission rejection** of the proposal - **Excessive contract length** (16.5 years with 10-year renewal option) - **Privacy concerns** regarding camera technology **Technical details explained:** - **Revenue generation:** $1.1 million annually for Downtown Seattle Association - **Public benefits:** Free Wi-Fi, transit information, emergency alerts, multilingual services - **Vendor investment:** All hardware, software, and maintenance costs covered by private company - **Revenue sharing:** Funds support cleaning, security, programming, and infrastructure improvements ### Memorial Stadium Redevelopment (Council Bill 120982) **Background context:** This **decade-long project** finally reached completion after extensive negotiations between Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Center, and private partners. The project preserves the **World War II memorial wall** while creating modern athletic facilities. **Technical details:** - **Timeline:** Construction begins immediately, completion by September 2027 - **Partnership structure:** Interlocal agreement with Seattle Public Schools plus development agreement with Memorial Stadium Redevelopment LLC - **Funding model:** Private investment with public land contribution - **Memorial preservation:** Structural improvements to honor 762 Seattle WWII casualties ### Seattle Public Utilities Infrastructure Charges (Bills 120966, 120967, 120968) **Background context:** These bills address a **critical housing development bottleneck** - properties that can't be developed due to lack of utility infrastructure connections. The solution increases developer charges while allowing SPU to cost-share on main line extensions. **Technical details:** - **System Development Charges (SDCs):** New fees for water, sewer, and drainage connections - **Municipal Assessment Reimbursement Area (MARA):** Mechanism for SPU to recoup investments from future developments that benefit - **Affordability protection:** Amendment by Councilmember Rivera creates deferment program for households under 80% Area Median Income - **Staffing:** Six new SPU positions to manage the program

### Coalition Patterns and Strategic Positioning **The Progressive-Moderate Divide:** The meeting highlighted the **ongoing tension** between Sawant's socialist movement and the current Democratic council majority. Sawant supporters claimed victory in forcing withdrawal of ethics reforms, while councilmembers characterized the disruption as **anti-democratic harassment**. **Key alliances observed:** - **Black councilmembers** (Hollingsworth, Saka, Solomon) formed unified front against racist public comments - **Moderate coalition** (Nelson, Rivera, Kettle, Moore) generally supported business-friendly policies - **Strauss positioned as swing vote** with privacy and technology concerns on kiosks **Strategic motivations behind positions:** - **Nelson's kiosk advocacy** reflects economic development priorities and downtown revitalization agenda - **Strauss amendments** appear designed to build progressive credibility while not killing legislation - **Hollingsworth's equity focus** on revenue sharing demonstrates attention to district-wide concerns ### Interest Group Influence **Strong business community support** for kiosks from Downtown Seattle Association, SOTO BIA, West Seattle Junction, and major institutions like Seattle Art Museum and Visit Seattle. **Labor concerns** raised by Unite Here Local 8 regarding Memorial Stadium organizing rights. **Organized opposition** led by former Councilmember Sawant's "Workers Strike Back" organization, using **disruptive tactics** including chanting, extended speaking, and personal attacks on councilmembers.

### Immediate Opportunities for Public Input **Kiosk implementation oversight:** - Next committee meeting June 12th will review detailed ordinance terms - **Contact Transportation Committee** Chair Strauss regarding privacy protections - **Engage with neighborhood BIAs** about revenue sharing opportunities **Memorial Stadium community benefits:** - **Labor harmony agreements** still being negotiated - contact Unite Here Local 8 - **Community programming opportunities** as facility nears completion ### Key Decision Points and Timelines **Critical upcoming milestones:** - **June 12, 2025:** Detailed kiosk ordinance in committee - **Ongoing:** District 5 council appointment process - **September 2027:** Memorial Stadium completion - **2026:** FIFA World Cup kiosk deployment deadline ### Contact Strategies for Maximum Impact **For kiosk concerns:** - **Email Council President Nelson** (sara.nelson@seattle.gov) - primary sponsor - **Attend June 12 committee meeting** for detailed ordinance review - **Coordinate with neighborhood business associations** for revenue sharing input **For infrastructure development:** - **Contact Councilmember Hollingsworth** (tanya.hollingsworth@seattle.gov) for SPU utility policies - **Engage with Seattle Public Utilities** directly on development projects

### Related Policies and Initiatives **Kiosk program connects to:** - **Comprehensive Plan implementation** and urban design standards - **Digital equity initiatives** through free Wi-Fi provision - **Economic development strategy** for downtown revitalization - **FIFA World Cup preparations** and tourism infrastructure **SPU infrastructure charges relate to:** - **Housing Action Plan** implementation and development barriers - **Climate resilience** through updated utility infrastructure - **Affordability crisis** through development cost impacts ### Upcoming Milestones and Deadlines **June 12, 2025:** Kiosk ordinance committee review **Ongoing through summer:** District 5 appointment process **Fall 2025:** Comprehensive Plan final adoption **2026:** FIFA World Cup preparations intensify **2027:** Memorial Stadium completion and opening ### Cross-cutting Themes and Implications **Technology and privacy** concerns will likely resurface in other smart city initiatives. **Public-private partnerships** are becoming the preferred model for major infrastructure projects. **Racial equity** and anti-racism work remains contentious with organized opposition.

### Budget Implications and Funding Sources **Kiosk program:** - **Zero city cost** - entirely vendor-funded - **$1.1M annual revenue** to Downtown Seattle Association - **Revenue sharing** with neighborhood BIAs creates new funding streams - **Amendment C** directs excess revenue to citywide business district improvements **Memorial Stadium:** - **Private investment** covers construction costs - **City contribution** is land use and permitting facilitation - **Long-term operations** shared between Seattle Public Schools and private operator **SPU infrastructure:** - **Increased developer fees** fund main line extensions - **Cost-sharing model** spreads infrastructure investment across multiple developments - **Six new positions** ($600,000+ annual cost) for program administration ### Procedural Insights and Next Steps **Kiosk implementation** requires detailed ordinance with specific terms, conditions, and oversight mechanisms. **Design Commission concerns** about visual impact and urban character remain unaddressed. **Memorial Stadium** moves to construction phase with ongoing negotiations on labor agreements and community benefits. **Public oversight** will focus on construction timeline and cost management. **SPU charges** implementation requires coordination with Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections for permitting integration. **Affordability deferment program** needs administrative rules development. ### Implementation Challenges and Opportunities **Kiosk deployment** faces potential **neighborhood opposition** similar to 5G infrastructure rollouts. **Privacy advocacy groups** likely to maintain pressure for stronger protections. **Memorial Stadium** success could serve as **model for other public-private partnerships**, particularly for aging Seattle Center facilities. **SPU infrastructure program** could **unlock significant housing development** if successfully implemented, but requires careful coordination to avoid unintended affordability impacts.