Transportation Committee - June 2, 2024

This Seattle Transportation Committee meeting focused on **finalizing the new Transportation Levy Oversight Committee** and addressing **critical state-mandated transportation planning**. Chair Robert Saka led the session with five members present, covering three major policy areas: **Key Participants & Outcomes:** - **Four new Levy Oversight Committee appointees confirmed**: Kyle Nolan (District 4), Lynda Firey Oldroyd (District 2), Lucy Carter Sloman (District 6), and Lisa Bogardus (District 7) - **State-required Commute Trip Reduction Plan approved** to meet June 30th deadline - **King Street Station deed of trust authorized** for Cultural Space Agency operations **Financial Scope:** - **$1.55 billion Transportation Levy** now has complete 19-member oversight structure - **$400,000 state grant** secured for arts venue operations - **240+ large employers** with 225,000+ employees participating in trip reduction program **Timeline:** Full Council votes scheduled for June 10th, 2025, with state deadline compliance critical for continued funding.

### Transportation Levy Oversight Committee Completion **Background Context:** The November 2024 voter-approved transportation levy represents Seattle's **most accountable transportation investment in city history**. The 19-member oversight committee structure includes: - 7 council district appointees - 5 mayoral appointees - 4 advisory board representatives (freight, bicycle, transit, pedestrian) - Transportation committee chair, budget director, and youth representative **Current Status:** Today's confirmations complete the committee structure after May 20th approval of other appointees. The committee has **express audit authority** - a key reform from previous levy challenges. **Technical Details:** - **Kyle Nolan** brings fresh civil engineering perspective and transit user experience - **Lynda Firey Oldroyd** offers corporate executive experience and traffic safety advocacy (Rainier Avenue South coalition work) - **Lucy Carter Sloman** provides urban design expertise and University District construction insights - **Lisa Bogardus** returns with Building Trades representation and previous oversight experience ### Commute Trip Reduction Plan Update **Background Context:** This 30+ year-old Washington State program requires jurisdictions to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips during peak hours. Seattle's program covers **240+ employers with 225,000+ employees**. **Current Status:** The four-year plan update aligns with Seattle Transportation Plan goals, setting **drive-alone rate targets through 2029**. Different geographic networks have varying targets based on transit access: - Most stringent targets for employers near light rail, commuter rail, ferries - Partnership-based approach (non-punitive with good faith compliance) **Technical Details:** Employers must provide two strategies from each category: - Employee information and amenities - Subsidies and modal support - Parking management Current performance: **32.1% drive-alone rate reduction** since 2007-2008 baseline. ### King Street Station Deed of Trust **Background Context:** The city acquired King Street Station for $10 in 2008, investing **$150 million total** ($10M levy + $140M matching funds) in seismic rehabilitation. The Cultural Space Agency invested **$4 million** in second-floor buildout for five arts organizations. **Current Status:** State Department of Commerce **$400,000 grant** requires leasehold deed of trust as security. This allows state takeover of lease rights if CSA defaults, maintaining arts use requirements. **Technical Details:** - First floor: Amtrak operations (11 daily trips each direction) - Second floor: Cultural Space Agency (5 arts organizations) - Third floor: Office of Arts and Culture - Default protection: Rent increases to $12/sq ft if non-arts use

### Strategic Coalition Building **Key Alliances:** Chair Saka demonstrates **policy continuity strategy** by retaining experienced oversight member (Bogardus) while adding fresh perspectives. The **Building Trades representation** maintains labor voice in oversight, critical for project delivery. **Strategic Motivations:** The emphasis on **"accountability"** and **"audit authority"** directly addresses 2018 levy reset challenges. Saka's repeated references to reading "every last report" signals hands-on oversight approach and responsiveness to previous failures. **Power Dynamics:** - **Geographic equity focus**: South Seattle investments highlighted (Hollingsworth advocacy) - **Downtown revitalization tension**: Kettle notes policy conflict between trip reduction and downtown recovery - **Labor-community balance**: Bogardus appointment maintains construction industry voice ### Interest Group Positioning The appointee selection reveals **strategic stakeholder management**: - **Technical expertise** (Nolan's engineering background) - **Community safety advocacy** (Firey Oldroyd's traffic safety work) - **Neighborhood development experience** (Sloman's U-District insights) - **Labor continuity** (Bogardus's return engagement)

### Immediate Opportunities **Public Input Channels:** - **Full Council meeting June 10th**: Final confirmation vote - **Levy Oversight Committee formation**: New committee will begin meeting schedule - **SDOT hiring surge**: 72-77 new positions for levy implementation **Key Decision Points:** - **June 30th deadline**: State CTR plan submission - **Summer 2025**: Oversight committee operational launch - **Ongoing**: Monthly oversight committee meetings (public attendance encouraged) ### Contact Strategies for Maximum Impact **Direct Engagement:** - **Email committee members** through council offices for specific project concerns - **Attend oversight meetings** when established (likely monthly schedule) - **Connect with appointees' background organizations** (Building Trades, traffic safety groups, professional associations) **Strategic Timing:** - **Pre-project planning phase**: Most influence on project design - **Quarterly reporting periods**: Key accountability moments - **Annual budget cycles**: Funding allocation decisions

### Related Policies and Initiatives **Transportation Levy Implementation:** - **Sidewalk network expansion**: 27% missing citywide - **Bridge and road maintenance**: Major infrastructure backlog - **Missing Link completion**: Burke-Gilman Trail connection - **Areaway program**: Pioneer Square underground infrastructure **Cross-Cutting Themes:** - **Climate goals**: Transportation sector represents 50%+ of city emissions - **Economic development**: Downtown recovery vs. trip reduction tension - **Equity focus**: South Seattle service and infrastructure gaps - **Regional coordination**: Sound Transit 3 construction impacts ### Upcoming Milestones **Immediate (June 2025):** - June 10th: Full Council confirmation votes - June 30th: State CTR plan submission deadline **Near-term (Summer-Fall 2025):** - Oversight committee operational launch - SDOT staffing surge (72-77 new hires) - Rainier Avenue South safety improvements **Medium-term (2025-2026):** - Future transportation funding task force creation - Metro measure renewal consideration - Sound Transit 3 construction coordination

### Budget Implications and Funding Sources **Levy Oversight Structure:** - **19-member committee**: Volunteer-based with professional staff support - **Audit authority**: Enhanced investigative powers vs. previous committee - **SDOT capacity building**: $150M+ investment in department staffing and systems **State Funding Dependencies:** - **CTR program**: State funding contingent on plan compliance - **Matching fund opportunities**: Federal and state grant coordination - **Regional partnerships**: Metro service coordination and funding ### Procedural Insights **Committee Process Innovation:** Chair Saka's decision to vote on CTR legislation same-day represents **procedural flexibility** for state deadline compliance. This sets precedent for urgent state-mandated items. **Appointment Strategy:** The **geographic and demographic balance** in appointments reflects political calculation: - Age diversity (young professional to experienced advocate) - Gender balance and professional diversity - Geographic representation across districts - Stakeholder group representation (labor, safety, technical) ### Implementation Challenges and Opportunities **Delivery Capacity:** The **2018 levy reset** provides cautionary lessons about department readiness. New hiring surge and "readiness report" requirement address previous capacity failures. **Coordination Complexity:** - **Multi-jurisdictional programs**: State, regional, and local coordination - **Construction impact management**: Sound Transit 3 and city project coordination - **Service-infrastructure alignment**: Metro service matching infrastructure investments **Performance Measurement:** - **Visible results imperative**: Political sustainability requires demonstrable progress - **Audit function activation**: New oversight powers must be exercised effectively - **Community engagement**: Neighborhood-level impact communication critical