Seattle City Council 5/10/22

Thank you, son.

The May 10th, 2022 meeting of the Seattle City Council will come to order.

It is 2.01 PM.

I am Andrew Lewis, Council President Pro Tem.

Will the clerk please call the roll?

Council Member Peterson.

Present.

Council Member Sawant.

Present.

Council Member Strauss.

Present.

Council Member Herbold.

Here.

Council Member Morales.

Here.

Council Member Mesqueda.

Present.

Councilmember Nielsen?

Present.

Council President Pro Tem Lewis?

Present.

Eight, present.

Thank you, Madam Clerk, and Council President Juarez was previously excused from the meeting.

Moving forward to presentations, we have a presentation from Councilmember Mosqueda of a proclamation on Affordable Housing Week.

Councilmember Mosqueda will first present the proclamation, and then I will open the floor for comments from Councilmembers.

After Councilmember comments, we will suspend the rules to allow our guests to accept the proclamation and provide comments.

Councilmember Mosqueda, you are recognized to present the proclamation.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Colleagues, I'm very excited about the proclamation in front of us today.

This is an opportunity for us, as we do annually, to recognize Affordable Housing Week.

This week, we are honored to be able to be present today with members from the Housing Development Consortium and community members to talk about Affordable Housing Week.

Last week, yes, excuse me, yesterday, I had the chance to join members of the community and the folks from the Affordable Housing Community and Housing Development Consortium to talk about the importance of Affordable Housing Week.

This year, it's an opportunity for us to celebrate what we've accomplished and also for us to look forward at all we have yet to do, especially with the upcoming passage of the Affordable Housing Levy in Seattle that will be on the ballots in the fall of 2023. Today we are proclaiming May 8 through the 14th as Affordable Housing Week in Seattle and I want to thank all of you for your interest in signing on to the proclamation yesterday and to Mayor Harrell for his concurrence on the proclamation.

We have with us, Chad Valculin from the Housing Development Consortium, and Chad will be accepting this proclamation.

Housing Affordable Week, Affordable Housing Week is an opportunity for us to not only celebrate but get organized and to get motivated about how we can continue to address the challenges in front of us and make sure that we are working in coordination to pass the levy in the fall of 2023 and to really explain to the community all of the incredible work we have done as a community so far as we seek to create more affordable housing.

We discussed recently some of the important efforts that we've taken to create more affordable housing in our community.

But I just want to emphasize the critical role that community partners have played in conjunction with the Office of Housing.

Together, we've outperformed what we committed to with the affordable housing levy, committed and outperformed at around 126%.

of what we had committed to initially.

We also are adding funding to the affordable housing levy with the passage of jumpstart progressive Seattle, generating between 135 million and 170 million for affordable housing is really important to make sure that there's funding going into building affordable housing.

We've added to that with rapid acquisition funding coming from the state and federal government.

and in partnership with the county, we've leveraged COVID relief dollars to secure new market rate buildings, take those market rate buildings off of the private market and convert them into affordable housing.

We're forward committing dollars as authorized in the 2022 budget and leveraging external resources from our state and federal partners to bring housing online now.

As a result of these combined efforts, there are now over 5,400 new affordable units currently under development, with 4,000 of those units opening this year and next.

We discussed ways for us to be able to not just put money forward, but Affordable Housing Week is an opportunity for us to talk about how we prioritize those dollars.

And we've amplified amplified policies at the city level to make sure that community preference and affirmative marketing policies are being put forward so that we can actively work to combat displacement, as we build new affordable units.

We're funding affordable housing in combination with the equitable development initiative So we're creating not just a roof and a door for people to call home, but a true sense of place and community so that equitable development initiatives can be paired with housing to create childcare and community plazas, community centers, and other important economic generators so that the community have a place to call home and truly a community that surrounds it.

We've done incredible things with the affordable housing levy and the jumpstart dollars in partnership with state and federal dollars but we know we must do more.

And so as we seek to.

To celebrate all that's been accomplished this week, we also must call for more action and more investment.

The McKinsey Street analysis alone noted the importance of having somewhere between $450 million to $1 billion a year for housing in our region, just to serve those who currently need housing right now.

And we know more people are going to continue to come to the Seattle region as economic refugees seeking to start their own business or get a good living wage job, as immigrants and refugees coming to Seattle because we are a welcoming city and will continue to be.

And as more folks come here as climate refugees as well, seeking reprieve from extreme heat or weather in other areas of our country and around the globe.

We want to be a welcoming city for everyone who is coming and everyone who is currently here and for that we need more investments in housing.

So I look forward to continuing to celebrate all that we've accomplished to increase our levy.

Next year to make sure that we can meet the needs of our current and growing population.

And for all of this to be coupled with reforming our zoning policies and making sure that we are creating a more inclusive zoning to build the housing that our city needs now and in the future.

There is a full calendar of events for affordable housing week we do encourage folks to take a look at those events on updating our comprehensive plan events related to black home ownership initiative policy discussions in Seattle.

conversation related to the housing levy and the renewal opportunity that presents next year, and discussions related to renter protections, especially in this moment as COVID crisis is still creating so much economic uncertainty and housing instability for communities.

you can find all of the information about Affordable Housing Week at HTC's website, that's housingconsortium.org backslash affordablehousingweek.

With that, I wanna thank Erin House for her work on creating the proclamation in partnership with the Housing Development Consortium, and very pleased to pass it over to Chad to receive this Affordable Housing Declaration Week.

And thank you for all the work that you do, Chad.

Thank you, Council Member Mosqueda.

And members of the Council, like Council members all I said at the event last night it's not fun to talk after you so that was very well prefaced and I echo everything that you said.

Like you did say my name is Chad vacuum and the advocacy and mobilization manager at the housing development consortium and I'll, I'll be quite brief but I do want to express my.

My sincere gratitude for proclaiming May 8 to 14 as affordable housing week, and also free recognition Council of the urgent need for affordable homes in our community.

As your proclamation states, and many of our community members are living through currently right now, too many students in our classrooms don't have a stable place to call home, and too many families in our city are struggling to stay housed, and stay housed in a place where they want to be.

Our goals for Affordable Housing Week are to not only call attention to the level of need in our community, but also to highlight the policy solutions and the important work that's currently being done to make a difference in this issue.

So we are thankful for the various work that you all have done in the past, things Council Member Mosqueda mentioned, like Jump Start Seattle and the EDI work.

And we're also thankful for the hopeful work that you will do in the future around these issues.

We also look forward to the opportunities where our community can help shape how we as a city address affordable housing through things like the comprehensive plan update and the housing levy renewal.

And we hope that you will join us for some of the events that we have planned during the week.

And thank you, Councilmember Esqueda for for attending the event last night it was, it was a great event and people, people loved it and had a very good time and thought that discussion was very well, well done so thank you for that.

But beyond the events we hope that you will you all continue to support affordable homes with all the tools that are available to you.

So thank you again for taking the time to issue this proclamation and for your dedication on taking on the housing crisis and addressing it at the scale that it deserves.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Chad.

Are there any additional comments by members before we move to the next agenda item?

Seeing none, Chad, thank you so much for joining us, and Council Member Mosqueda, thank you so much for bringing this proclamation forward.

I really appreciate your leadership on this.

Okay, moving forward to the next item on our agenda, approval of the introduction and referral calendar.

Are there...

Sorry, hold on, I'm getting mixed up in the line that I have here.

So I move to adopt the introduction referral calendar.

Is there a second?

Second.

It's been moved and seconded to adopt the introduction referral calendar.

Are there any comments on the introduction referral calendar?

Yes.

Council Member Peters.

Thank you, President Pro Tem Lewis.

Colleagues, there are three items that need to come to my committee next Tuesday morning for transportation Seattle Public Utilities.

So I need to put them on today's introduction referral calendar.

So colleagues, I'd like to move to amend the introduction referral calendar to introduce Councils 120322 and 120323. In resolution 32053, and by referring these items to next week's transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee.

Sorry, this was a long motion but I want to give you the short title of these items.

120322 is an ordinance relating to Seattle Public Utilities authorizing the general manager CEO of Seattle Public Utilities to accept a non-exclusive easement.

Council Bill 120323 is an ordinance relating to Seattle Public Utilities accepting two deeds for real property acquired for the purpose of installing and operating groundwater wells and waterworks to provide potable water in connection with the Highline Well Field Project identified in the 1985 Seattle Comprehensive Regional Water Plan.

And finally, Resolution 32053, a resolution granting conceptual approval to construct, maintain, and operate a communication conduit under and across Latona Avenue Northeast.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Mosqueda.

Council Member Peterson, do you have any additional comments on the amendments before we vote on your motion?

No, thank you.

Okay.

I'm hearing no further comments.

Will the clerk please call the roll on the adoption of the amendment proposed by Council Member Peterson to the introduction of referral calendar?

Council Member Peterson?

Yes.

Council Member Sawant?

Yes.

Council Member Strauss?

Yes.

Council Member Herbold?

Yes.

Council Member Morales?

Yes.

Council Member Mosqueda?

Aye.

Council Member Nelson?

Aye.

Council President Pro Tem Lewis?

Yes.

Eight in favor, none opposed.

The motion carries and council bills 120322 and 120323 and resolution 32053 are added with a referral to the Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee.

Are there any further comments on the introduction referral calendar as amended?

Hearing no comments, will the clerk please call the roll on the adoption of the introduction and referral calendar as amended?

Council Member Peterson.

Yes.

Council Member Sawant.

Yes.

Council Member Strauss.

Yes.

Council Member Herbold.

Yes.

Council Member Morales.

Yes.

Council Member Mosqueda.

Aye.

Council Member Nelson.

Aye.

Council President Pro Tem Lewis.

Yes.

Eight in favor, none opposed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

We will now consider the proposed consent calendar.

Are there any items council members would like to remove from today's consent calendar?

Seeing no hands, I move to adopt the consent calendar.

Is there a second?

Second.

Second.

Thank you.

It has been moved and seconded to adopt the consent calendar.

Will the clerk please call the roll on the adoption of the consent calendar?

Council Member Peterson.

Yes.

Council Member Sawant.

Yes.

Council Member Strauss.

Yes.

Council Member Herbold.

Yes.

Council Member Morales.

Yes.

Council Member Mosqueda.

Aye.

Council Member Nelson.

Aye.

Council President Pro Tem Lewis.

Yes.

Eight in favor, none opposed.

The consent calendar items are adopted.

Will the clerk please affix my signature to the minutes and legislation on the consent calendar on my behalf.

Approval of the agenda.

I move to adopt the agenda.

Is there a second?

Second.

It's been moved and seconded to adopt the agenda.

Are there comments on the proposed agenda?

Council Member Sawant.

Thank you, Council President Pro Tem Lewis, I move to amend the agenda to add resolution 32054 entitled a resolution in support of abortion rights and other reproductive rights in opposition to the US Supreme Court draft majority opinion in Dobbs versus Jackson women's health organization and urging state and federal elected officials to codify abortion rights and other reproductive rights and placing it under the adoption of other resolutions section of the agenda.

Second.

There you go.

Excellent.

Thank you.

It has been moved and seconded to amend the agenda to add resolution 32054. Council Member Sawant, do you have any additional comments on the amendment?

Just very briefly, first of all, thank you for the second.

And just to say that it's my hope that the council will vote in favor of this resolution today, because among other things, it supports the demonstrations planned for Friday and Saturday, both by high school and university students and by workers.

This week against overturning Roe v. Wade, I'll reserve the rest of my comments for when the resolution itself is discussed on the agenda.

And I appreciate the assistance of both the Council President Warrior's office and Council President Pro Tem Lewis's office to rush this resolution onto today's introduction and referral calendar.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Council Member Sawant.

And thank you for this very, very timely resolution for our consideration.

Are there any other comments on the amendment to add this item to the agenda?

Seeing no comments, will the clerk please call the roll on the adoption of the amendment to the agenda?

Council Member Peterson.

Yes.

Council Member Sawant.

Yes.

Council Member Strauss.

Yes.

Council Member Herbold.

Yes.

Council Member Morales.

Yes.

Council Member Mosqueda.

Aye.

Council Member Nelson.

Aye.

Council Member, excuse me, Council President Pro Tem Lewis.

Yes.

Eight in favor, none opposed.

Thank you madam clerk the motion carries and resolution 32054 will be considered under adoption of other resolutions on today's agenda are there further comments on the amended agenda.

If there is no objection, the agenda as amended will be adopted.

Hearing no objection, the agenda as amended is adopted.

Public comment.

Colleagues, at this time, we will open the remote public comment period for items on today's City Council agenda and referral calendar and the Council's work program.

It remains the strong intent of the Council to have remote public comment regularly included on meeting agendas.

However, as a reminder, the City Council reserves the right to end or eliminate these public comment periods at any point if we deem the system as being abused or is no longer suitable.

The Clerk will moderate this general public comment period, and I will now hand it off to the Clerk to read the instructions.

That's a present for 10 before we move forward.

We have 20 speakers out of the 20 speakers three are present.

Would you like to retain the two minutes or reduce it?

Reduce to one minute, please.

Thank you.

The public comment period for this meeting is up to 20 minutes and each speaker will be given one minute to speak.

Speakers are called upon in the order in which they registered to provide public comment on the council's website.

Each speaker must call in from the phone number provided when registered and use the ID and passcode that was emailed upon confirmation.

Please note this is different from the general meeting listen line ID listed on the agenda.

If you did not receive an email confirmation, please check your spam or junk mail folders.

Once a speaker's name is called, staff will unmute the appropriate microphone and an automatic prompt if you have been unmuted will be the speaker's cue that is your turn to speak and then the speaker must press star six to begin speaking.

Please begin speaking by stating your name and the item that you are addressing.

Speakers will hear a chime when 10 seconds are left of the allotted time.

Once you hear the chime, we ask that you begin to wrap up your public comment.

If speakers do not end their comments at the end of the allotted time provided, the speaker's microphone will be muted to allow us to call on the next speaker.

Once you have completed your public comment, we ask that you please disconnect from the line, and if you plan to continue following this meeting, please do so via Seattle Channel or the listening line options listed on the agenda.

The public comment period is now open.

We will begin with the first speaker on the list.

Please remember to press star six after you hear the prompt of, you have been unmuted.

Our first caller is Howard Gale.

Good afternoon, Howard Gale with seattlestop.org commenting on our failed police accountability system.

Sunday marked the third anniversary of the SBD murder of Ryan Smith, and next week marks the second anniversary of the SBD murder of Terry Kaver, both black men experiencing a severe mental health crisis while wielding only a knife.

Both of these men were murdered within seconds of the police confronting them.

Despite the egregious failures of police to follow SPD's policies of de-escalation, both of these murders were deemed lawful and proper by our police accountability system.

Two years after George Floyd, the council remains wedded to a system that serves no one's needs.

You deny folks real accountability for the harms done to them by police, while scaring off police recruits who we should not want with performative and empty words that get amplified by the right wing media and scaring away any potential good recruits by maintaining a corrupt policing culture that responsible people would not want to be part of.

Over the last two years, the council has failed to improve accountability while continuing to spend.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Barbara Finney.

My name is Barbara Finney, delegate to the MLK labor council for AFG 3 1 9 7 and retired RN speaking in a personal capacity.

I urge you council members to vote passage of council members who wants resolution urging Congress to codify RV way.

Pregnancy and childbirth are inherently dangerous.

No one should be forced to risk their lives and wellbeing, including economic hardship or devastation without their consent.

Abortion bans will be undue harm on working class people, especially black indigenous and people of color.

Historically, student walkouts have been major tools to create real lasting change.

So solidarity with the student and worker walkouts happening on Friday, November, May 13th.

Young people especially know that we need a new party, a party for the working class.

to fight both economic exploitation and further advance the union movement and to fight against attacks such as this.

Thank you.

Our next speaker is Margo Stewart.

Hi, my name is Margo I'm a worker and render on first hill and I'm calling to demand that the council pass Council Member saw wants resolution to defend and codify Roe v. Wade, as well as provide city funds to expand access to reproductive care.

I think we need the strongest possible resolution right now without any cuts or delays.

You know, the reality is that it's already been 50 years since Roe was won and access to quality reproductive care has been steadily chipped away by the right wing, while Democrats have sat idly by.

Abortion access is already incredibly difficult for working people and especially people of color.

It would immediately become impossible for a huge number of ordinary people if this ruling goes through.

And of course, there's no reason to believe that this would not provide the basis for attacks on reproductive rights, even in states where they're supposedly safe like ours.

Um, and this is in the context of the rich will always be able to access abortions, but, um, working people will lose that access.

So I think any elected people or any elected official who claims to represent working people needs to take a concrete stance.

You know, will the Democrats on city council put their money where their mouth is and demanding.

Our next speaker is David Haynes.

Thank you, David Haynes district seven, the worst neighborhood in the Northwest.

The city council is endangering community doing the bidding of George Soros funded institutions, Veritas Institute, and the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform that conspired to sabotage the integrity of public safety, as if it's more important to keep evil criminals destroying lives daily out of jail.

Why is the police chief only showing force with vehicles and flashing lights?

where media reports crime hotspots that sees same criminals swept to different locations bothering residents.

Just look at the bus stop on 3rd Ave between Cherry Street and James.

It's the worst of the curse.

I reported it to transit police, Seattle police, the mayor, and the council public comment.

Yet it continues to get worse because residents of Pioneer Square are not afforded the same respect as other areas of the city.

Why is city council the only worker still using excuses of COVID, refusing to open the council chambers and return to office?

Everyone else has to go back to the office.

Why not privileged council?

Which brings me to my next question.

With all the horrible things taking place in Seattle, why is there virtually nothing on the council agenda?

You all should extend this to two minutes.

You all are cheating and censoring us.

Our next speaker is Michael Vitswong.

Greetings, council members.

My name is Michael Vitswong.

I'm a lifelong Seattle resident currently working at the Seattle Public Libraries organized by AFSCME 2083, speaking in a personal capacity.

I'm urging all council members to sign on to Shama Sawant's resolution calling on our national legislators to immediately codify Roe v. Wade into law.

This is not a controversial stance.

Over two-thirds of Americans support a woman's right to choose, including nearly half of registered Republican voters.

Here in Seattle, a city controlled by Democrats for decades, this must be the simplest vote you've ever had to cast.

The Democratic Party has campaigned for abortion rights in the past, most notably with President Joe Biden promising to codify Roe v. Wade into law during his bid for presidency in 2020. Well, Joe Biden won and has majorities in the House and the Senate.

Why hasn't he moved to codify Roe v. Wade?

From the Democrats in D.C.

to our own state leaders, I've heard repeatedly that we have to vote for progressives this November to protect abortion rights.

Unfortunately, the Supreme court is planning on repealing abortion in two months, not in November, enough empty promises and operating voters to support candidates who never deliver working women and trans folks need access to reproductive health care right now.

Next speaker, Steve.

Following my June, 2021 application, I was selected as an appointee to the community involvement commission and have worked with the city over the past nine months toward the resolution of that appointment.

I was surprised to see my name appear on today's city council agenda as the only order of new business.

My surprise follows a phone call I received on the morning of April 15th from Chase Monroe, the mayor's office legal affairs liaison, indicating certain members of the Neighborhood Education and Civil Rights and Culture Committee had been lobbied by Belltown United to effectively cancel my appointment to the Community Involvement Commission.

Despite hundreds of hours of pro bono services, Beltown United still owes me over $15,000 for professional services I rendered last year.

The Community Involvement Commission has operated without a full complement of commissioners for over a year, and anyone who tunes into their meetings, which typically only draw two Seattle residents that aren't commissioners, knows the current commissioners will lament the fact most people have no idea the Community Involvement Commission even exists.

The lives impacted through my advocacy and volunteer efforts clearly demonstrate the very essence of community involvement.

Our next speaker is Emily MacArthur.

Hi, my name is Emily MacArthur.

I'm a renter in District 2. Thank you so much to Socialist City Council Member Shanna Silent for bringing forward this urgent resolution to defend Roe v. Wade.

It's absolutely shameful, as other commenters have pointed out, that the Democrats have had 50 years, including multiple veto-proof majorities, to codify the right to abortion into law.

It's urgent that the Democrats and others on the council act decisively to push their party to take action.

It's unacceptable that Nancy Pelosi is condemning so-called far less members of the party for being too radical on abortion.

Seventy percent of Americans support abortion rights.

We need this now.

It's not enough to be a sanctuary state.

We need to make sure that these rights are available to oppressed and working class people everywhere, as well as putting money into abortion funds.

Of course, fundamentally, we need a workers party that's willing to fight for working class people and doesn't have to be pushed into action and begged for 50 years.

Our next speaker is Sanja.

Hi, it's Sonia Ponaf.

I'm in support of this resolution.

We must absolutely codify it now.

The majority of US supports Roe and over 70% oppose it being dismantled.

Roe was won by a 72 margin under Nixon and a right-wing court.

So these unelected kings and queens on the Supreme Court are absolutely sensitive to public pressure.

We need everyone to fight for this.

I am pro-choice, but I'm also pro-life.

I wish those who are pro-life would join with us if they want to save those unborn babies.

Will they fight for free birth control, Medicare for all, universal childcare, a true living wage?

Will the Democrats fight for these things, too?

These are concrete things we need in our lives, and that would be the only way to truly reduce abortions.

Sadly, Democrats won't call for these things.

That's why we need a real party for ordinary people.

We know how to win things because we call for social movement.

We call for rallies, protests, and walkouts to demand our rights.

to decide what's best for ourselves and our bodies.

Thank you.

Logan Swan.

Yeah, my name's Logan Swan.

I'm a rank and file union iron worker and longshoreman here in Seattle.

I'm a renter in district two.

And yeah, I want to thank the council office for taking the lead and on this on the struggle for abortion rights.

You know, it reminds me, you know, when I'm being told that these rights are safe in Washington of how, you know, we're also told that as union members, our rights are safe.

But then we saw with the right wing attacking union members that right to work spread from state to state to nationally through the Janus decision.

So it's clear that, you know, attacks on working people and working women, that none of us are safe anywhere without a building a movement to fight back.

As Martin Luther King said, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere.

And yeah, I think this is your party for the Democratic council members that's not taking action.

So if you don't call this out, you're every bit complicit.

Our next speaker is Taylor Latrice Werner.

Hi, I'm Taylor Werner.

Union Electrician Local 36, and a renter in District 7. Last week, I went out to the demonstrations.

It materialized just incredibly quickly, and that there, I hope, has a strong impact on city council members as they consider Action Today on Sean McSwan's resolution to stand with us in the fight for abortion rights.

that I heard over and over again from speakers but also conversations in the crowd was just how angry and disaffected people felt that Democrats standing and fighting with them.

I worry that Democrats on the city council don't comprehend the fight that's required.

And I think that the best thing you can possibly do is be in the streets with us, stand in solidarity and be vocal and be visible.

Our next speaker is Ellen Anderson.

Hi, my name is Ellen.

I'm a student at Seattle Central, and I live in District Three.

I'm calling to support Council Member Swann's resolution to defend Roe v. Wade.

So many people have mentioned this.

A majority of Americans support abortion rights.

This is not a minority issue.

This is not some fringe issue.

This is the general consensus nationwide.

Over 70% of the people oppose dismantling Roe v. Wade.

And it's the obligation of this Democratic Party dominated city council to call on the congressional Democrats to urgently codify Roe v. Wade immediately.

And most important thing about this resolution, I think is that, you know, it's being put forward in solidarity with protests that will be happening this week.

I think we need to be immediately building for the National Day of Action on May 14th, which has been called by Planned Parenthood.

This is the only way that we can really defend this attack is by building a powerful movement in the streets And we need student walkouts, worker strikes.

We need mass rallies.

And this Thursday and Saturday, there's gonna be a good start.

And we need to build off of these towards mass action.

Our next speaker is Eva Witted.

Hi, my name's Eva.

I am a food service worker living in the Central District.

I'm calling to demand City Council pass Council Member Sawant's resolution urging Congress to codify Roe v. Wade.

The rights of millions are on the line.

And along with the grassroots movement, we must pass the strongest resolution possible to defend Roe and ensure city resources are being used to ensure and extend reproductive rights and access to abortion, no questions asked.

No safe or safe from this right wing attack on Roe v. Wade and we must do whatever it takes to defend the rights of women, LGBT folks, and ultimately the working class.

The only way we're going to be able to defend the rights is through nationwide solidarity and action.

Our next speaker is Kevin Fitzlong.

Hi, my name is Kevin.

I'm a renter and teacher in District 6, and I'm calling to support Council Member Silence Resolution 32054 to defend Roe v. Wade.

You know, over 70% of Americans oppose dismantling Roe v. Wade.

And, you know, I was at Cary Park last Tuesday, and the message from Jay Inslee and co. was simply, vote.

And this is just simply, this is not enough.

You know, Biden and congressional Democrats have failed to follow through with so many promises to working people, including Medicare for All.

the $15 federal minimum wage, student debt, relief, free college, a Green New Deal, and codifying Roe v. Wade, which he campaigned on.

So we need to mount a working class fight back, and I wanna thank the over 3,000 people who showed up at Westlake Park that Tuesday, and thank you to Sean LaSalle for using your council office to organize that rally.

You know, Roe v. Wade was won through mass action of millions, and that's the only way we're gonna be able to defend the right to an abortion, to reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and you know that's the only way we'll be able to fight for and win more like Medicare for all, affordable housing, living wage, and more.

So I want to urge everyone to come out.

The next speaker is Chantel Machado.

Hi, my name is Chantel.

I live in District 5 and I actually, upon hearing what everyone is saying, I'm not sure that what I wanted to talk about is necessarily on this agenda.

I wanted to talk about in county animal shelter.

So I guess I would love to learn about how things are put on the agenda so that maybe at a future meeting, this is something that I could address.

Thank you.

Thank you, Cindy.

Our next speaker is Leah Ruttman.

My apologies.

I skipped a person and I didn't actually.

Leah, are you on the line?

Hi, my name is Leah Rotman, and I'm the Health Care and Liberty Counsel at the ACLU of Washington.

I am in strong support of resolution Council Member Sawant's resolution and Council Member Herbold's amendment in support of reproductive freedom.

If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, it would have a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people, falling most quickly and heavily on marginalized people.

It will take away an individual's bodily autonomy and liberty.

Overturning or gutting Roe v. Wade stands in stark contrast to the will of Washingtonians who voted to uphold that right to abortion in 1970 and in 1991. In Washington, we're fortunate that the right to choose an abortion will still exist after Roe's overturned, but the right to choose an abortion does not guarantee access.

We commend the council's commitment to provide needed funding towards abortion care and the council's support of the Keep Our Care Act.

We have seen health entity consolidations decrease access to reproductive end-of-life and gender-affirming care, and now is the time we must increase rather than decrease access to care.

As Washingtonians, we must stand against forced pregnancies and work to expand abortion access and fund abortion care.

Thank you.

Our last speaker is Yvette Magana.

Hello, Chair and members of the committee.

My name is Yvette Magana.

I'm the Government Relations Manager for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates in Washington, and I'm here on behalf of Planned Parenthood to testify in support of resolution 32054 and Council Member Herbold's amendment.

So this resolution affirms our city's commitment to abortion access and commits our city to providing funding to ensure meaningful access to abortion care.

Planned Parenthood and other community partners are working to ensure that we have the systems and funding in place to help patients access abortion care, including helping patients traveling from out of state.

Now more than ever, it is critical for our city and our state to stand up and affirm our commitment to protecting reproductive freedom for all people, no matter what happens elsewhere in the country.

This resolution affirms our city's long held support for abortion access and commits our city to taking concrete, meaningful action to ensure that abortion access is a reality for Washington's patients.

If he could just give me a second Council President for time just to confirm all speakers present.

Oh, actually we are good to go.

We concluded our public comment.

Thank you so much, Madam Clerk.

Appreciate everybody calling in to talk about today's agenda.

So we will now move forward to our committee reports.

Will the clerk please read items one and two into the record.

agenda items one and two, appointment 2111 and 2146, appointment of Stephen Horvath as member of Community Involvement Commission for term to May 31st, 2022, and for term to May 31st, 2024.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

These matters have come from Council Member Morales's committee.

So as the sponsor, I will recognize Council Member Morales to speak to these items.

Thank you, Council President Pro Tem.

As I mentioned in briefing yesterday, I'm going to move that appointments 2111 and 2146 be postponed indefinitely.

Shall I speak to it now or after it's?

Well, let's hear if there's a second.

Okay.

Okay, it has been moved and seconded.

Council Member Morales, you may speak to the motion.

Excuse me, thank you.

As I mentioned yesterday, this is a mayoral appointment nomination.

The mayor's office has chosen not to move forward with this appointment.

And so I'm requesting that we hold this appointment indefinitely on their behalf.

Thank you, Council Member Morales, and thank you for mentioning the background and briefing.

You know, I was I was listening today when Steve Horvath called in to public comment and some allegations to the process were raised that that I would be interested in learning more about.

And, you know, I just want to say for the record that Steve Horvath is a constituent.

My office has worked with Steve Horvath on a variety of community programs.

So I would just state that that I would hope some equitable way forward could be arranged to make sure that Steve can stay as a partner with city government and public service moving forward, if not in this role.

And I look forward to talking more with executive officials regarding the appointments of District 7 members to the Community Involvement Commission and how that process goes forward as the district seven council member and how we can partner in making sure that in the future, this is a smooth process for all parties involved.

Are there any other comments on council member Morales's motion?

Seeing no comments, will the clerk please call the roll on postponing indefinitely appointments 2-1-1-1 and 2-1-4-6.

Council Member Peterson.

Yes.

Council Member Sawant.

Yes.

Council Member Strauss.

Yes.

Council Member Herbold.

Yes.

Council Member Morales.

Yes.

Council Member Mosqueda.

Aye.

Council Member Nelson.

Aye.

Council President Pro Tem Lewis.

Yes.

Eight in favor, none opposed.

You're muted, Council President Patel.

Oh, very, very sorry.

Sorry.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

The motion carries and the appointments are postponed indefinitely.

Moving to adoption of other resolutions.

Will the clerk please read new items, the new item three into the record.

Agenda item three, resolution 32054, a resolution in support of abortion rights and other reproductive rights in opposition to the U.S.

Supreme Court draft majority opinion in Dobbs versus Jackson Women's Health Organization and urging state and federal elected officials to codify abortion rights and other reproductive rights.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

I move to adopt resolution 32054. Is there a second?

Second.

It has been moved and seconded to adopt the resolution.

Council members who want a sponsor of the resolution, you are recognized to address the item.

Thank you, Council President Pro Tem Lewis.

This is a resolution to support the rank-and-file movement to defend Roe v. Wade, the right to bodily autonomy for women and LGBTQ people, the right to reproductive healthcare, and in specific, the right to seek abortion.

On May 3rd, I joined thousands of protesters in Seattle and many thousands others around the country, marching in opposition to the draft Supreme Court decision that would, if it is allowed to go through, overturned Roe v. Wade and obliterating historic human rights that were won almost 50 years ago when a mass movement led by ordinary people in the 60s and 70s fought for and won Roe v. Wade.

We are facing the single biggest attack on women, pregnant people, and reproductive rights in our lifetimes.

And this right-wing Supreme Court has also given every indication that if they succeed, if we don't fight to stop this in eliminating Roe v. Wade, they plan to carry out draconian attacks also on LGBTQ rights next.

As many of the speakers in public comment noted, the Supreme Court is intent on making this attack despite the fact that a majority of Americans support abortion rights and have supported for decades, and over 70% oppose dismantling Roe v. Wade.

To defend against these attacks, we need to build mass grassroots movements that bring in more and more of the working class, and to win, we need to draw on some lessons of history.

How was Roe v. Wade won in the first place?

It was, and let's be clear about this, it was never due to some benevolence or wisdom of the justice system, nor was it won by Democratic Party aligned organizations that at that time refused to engage in the mass direct action that was needed.

Like all victories for the working class under capitalism, Roe v. Wade was wrenched from the hands of the powerful by mass movements led by the rank-and-file, by rank-and-file workers, by rank-and-file women, and by rank-and-file militant leaders in the union movement and in the social movements who, unlike the cautiousness used by many of the prominent organizations, indeed understood that we needed marches on the streets, we needed protest actions, we need workplace actions like work stoppages, and we needed a non-violent civil disobedience.

The Supreme Court at the time was majority Republican appointed, just like today, majority sexist, majority racist, majority bigoted, majority right wing, just like today.

And yet not only the majority of that court, but a majority of the Republican appointed judges at the time voted in favor of Roe v. Wade in a 7-2 decision.

And that was because of the power of mass movements led by working people.

In fact, one of the two judges who voted against Roe was a Democratic Party appointee.

Abortion rights were won because of the massive combined pressure of the women's movement, civil rights movement, anti-war movement, labor movement, and militant strike action by union workers.

Literally, millions were out on the streets in the US.

The ruling class and the cult feared even greater social upheaval and even greater threat to the stability of their system of capitalism.

And that's why they were forced to concede on victories like Roe v. Wade.

For all the women's rights and LGBTQ rights activists watching, for all the union members and non-union workers watching, that is exactly the kind of fear our movement needs to instill right now in the ruling class.

Because without building the fever pitch of mass movements, we will not be able to stop attacks like this on abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, workers' rights, and the assault of the ruling class on the planet.

I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican and have little confidence that the big business politicians that dominate those parties will do what is necessary to defend Roe v. Wade and reproductive health care, let alone passing single-payer universal health care to make access to all forms of health care free and available to all, including taxing Wall Street.

However, we need to be clear that controlling the House, Senate, and White House, the Democratic Party establishment could do this if they had the political will to do so.

They could eliminate the filibuster, just like Trump's Republicans did in order to appoint right-wing justices.

They could pass a law codifying Roe v. Wade nationwide.

They could pass single-payer health care paid for by taxing billionaires.

They could expand the size of the Supreme Court and appoint justices who could support the right to bodily autonomy.

And they could and should call mass movements to support these actions.

They could do all of these things if they had the will to do so.

The reality is that That is not the real program of the establishment of the Democratic Party, which means progressive Democrats need to decide if they will use their progressive credentials to make excuses for big business establishment that control their party.

or they will use every resource at their disposal to build the largest possible mass movement to push all elected officials, Democratic and Republican, and all Supreme Court judges to back off these attacks on women and LGBTQ people.

This resolution asserts the city council's opposition to overturning Roe v. Wade, which I know that there is full support on the city council for that, but most importantly, it supports building the grassroots movement that we need.

This Friday, students are calling demonstrations, and this Saturday is a national day of action to defend abortion rights called by Planned Parenthood.

This resolution encourages Seattleites to participate in those protests, and this resolution urges progressive Democrats to use their resources to build this movement.

Finally, this resolution commits to funding abortion access.

I understand Council Member Herbold will be moving a proposed amendment with clarifying language recommended by the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Pro-Choice Washington, the Northwest Abortion Access Fund, and Legal Voice.

I just want to clarify, I consider this amendment a friendly one and will be voting in favor of it.

And I urge council members to support this resolution and urge anyone watching this to join me at the demonstration this Friday and Saturday.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Sawant.

Are there any other comments?

Council Member Herbold.

Thank you so much.

I move to amend Resolution 32054 as presented on Amendment 1, which was recently distributed.

Second.

It has been moved and seconded to adopt Amendment 1. Council Member Herbold, as sponsor, you are recognized to discuss your amendment.

you so much.

I really appreciate the opportunity to bring this amendment and Council Member Sawant's welcoming its inclusion.

It was circulated to all offices just before noon today and was reviewed by law.

I want to thank Roxana Gomez and Leah Ruttman from ACLU-WA and Kia Guerrero from Pro-Choice Washington for, they actually convened a group of healthcare providers and advocates and they did so at very short notice to review the proposed resolution and offer their feedback.

I understand that Councilmember Morales, who serves as co-chair representing the City Council on the Board of Health, also did outreach to some of the organizations that convened to provide their feedback, so I really appreciate the coordination and parallel lines of thought there.

The amendment here is the result of that work.

and represents recommendations from ACLU Washington, Pro-Choice Washington, Northwest Abortion Access Fund, Planned Parenthood, Alliance Advocates, and Legal Voice.

I really wanted to make sure that these advocates and experts along on the front line of reproductive justice had the opportunity to review this resolution related to abortion rights at this really critical moment.

And just real quickly, highlighting what's in the amendment.

It changes the gendered language in the bill.

It adds a recital about House Bill 1851, which the state legislature passed this year.

and preserves a pregnant individual's ability to access abortion care, and it requests that any funds that the council may choose to appropriate in the future would be allocated to organizations that deliver programs and services in support of abortion care and access, such as the Northwest Abortion Access Fund and independent abortion clinics.

I want to thank everybody involved here in developing this amendment for their quick work.

especially during a moment when all hands are needed to prepare for the upcoming crisis in reproductive health care access.

A special thank you to Yolanda Ho on Council Central staff and Christina Kotsubos from my office for their quick work in turning around this amendment.

Thank you, Council Member Herbold.

Are there any comments on the proposed Amendment 1?

Seeing no comments, will the clerk please call the roll on the adoption of Amendment 1?

Council Member Peterson.

Yes.

Council Member Sawant.

Yes.

Council Member Strauss.

Yes.

Council Member Herbold.

Yes.

Council Member Morales.

Yes.

Council Member Mosqueda.

Aye.

Council Member Nelson.

Aye.

Council President Pro Tem Lewis.

Yes.

Eight in favor, none opposed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk the motion carries and I'm at one is adopted and the amended resolutions before the council.

Are there additional comments on the amended resolution.

appreciate that.

I just want to add a few things because I did actually have the opportunity to add some language prior to the amendment and want to lift some of that up as well.

When Council Member Sawant notified the rest of us on Wednesday that she would be sponsoring this resolution as chair with oversight of public health and human services and someone like many of us I know have very strong feelings on this issue.

I did request to work with Council Member Sawant on the drafting of the resolution.

I did receive a draft on Friday and at that point, rather than offering language before a draft was distributed, I took the opportunity with Christina's help to add some additional language to the resolution as well.

And I thank Council Member Sawant for being willing to include it.

I just want to highlight again the language included lifts up Sister Song's concept of reproductive justice, acknowledging that there can be no choice without access to comprehensive reproductive health care includes a series of recitals that acknowledge limitations to access, even here in Washington State, and that is caused by almost 50% of our hospital beds, being in religiously affiliated hospitals which refuse to provide the full range of health care that patients require.

It signals an intention to consider action that would ensure that patients are informed of reproductive health care available and not available to them at their health care facility.

And it states specific choice for the Keep Our Care Act that prevents health care system consolidations from moving forward if they negatively impact communities access to quality health care, including reproductive end of life and gender affirming care.

Again, thank you for your willingness to incorporate all of this added language into your resolution.

This is an issue I know it's been a very difficult week for folks.

This is deeply personal and impactful to so many lives and I believe the council does have a role to play in the crisis to come.

I have made some starting inquiries with public health, whether city dollars currently support either abortion providers or whether or not funds are used to support clinics that make referrals that facilitate comprehensive women's health care, including all reproductive options.

This work is only beginning to come clear.

If the Supreme Court does issue a majority opinion consistent with the draft, that we've seen the shift in abortion rights will be among the most significant the court has ever issued, in that it would deprive half of the nation of a fundamental constitutional right, long held by millions of pregnant people for nearly 50 years.

We know that 20 states have laws restricting or banning abortion, some are trigger laws that will go into effect as soon as the Supreme Court ruling, some are pro-row abortion bans that haven't been enforced, or sorry, pre-row abortion bans that haven't been enforced.

And other laws express a clear intent of states to crack down on abortion permitted by the Supreme Court.

States that continue to allow abortion will likely see a large influx of patients seeking care.

And Parenthood reported that clinics in states near Texas reported a nearly 800% increase in abortion patients from Texas as compared to the same period in the prior year.

Pregnant people of color will bear the brunt of further abortion restrictions with higher poverty rates and more difficulties traveling out of state for an abortion and limits on abortion access can lead to negative long term health care effects and significant economic hardships that last for years, including single parenthood and higher risk of developing serious health problems.

I really look forward to working with all of you and all of our community stakeholders and women's movements to ensure that access to comprehensive women's health care, including access to abortion, is a reality on the ground as well as by policy in our city.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Herbold.

Are there any other comments on the resolution as amended?

Council Member Nelson.

Thank you, Council Member Sawant for bringing this forward.

I do think it's very important that Seattle City Council speak out and voice our strong opposition to what we think is coming down the pike here.

And while there are some things in the resolution that gave me pause, this is completely about city business and how this will impact our constituents, despite the fact that access to abortion is codified in Washington state.

I was talking to Courtney Norman, who is the director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, and She noted that with the influx of women of people from other states seeking abortions, that will have a ripple effect in Washington's amongst Washington clinics and and it very well could.

you know, point to the need to expand our services that we offer at whatever clinics get our funding.

And she also noted that Portland did contribute to the Abortion Access Fund.

That is something else that we might consider in the future.

But the point is that what's happening at the national level will will impact everyone because this is going to cause people in states that can no longer get abortions to seek alternatives.

And Washington should be a welcoming state to meet that need.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Nelson.

Are there any other comments on the resolution?

I want to make closing remarks, but I was waiting for you to call on me.

Yes, of course, Council Member Sawant.

I'll just briefly say I really appreciate, as I said in briefing yesterday, the timeliness of the resolution, Council Member Sawant, and your bringing it forward.

It's critical not only for us to go on the record in the strongest possible terms against the massive backsliding of abortion rights that would be represented by this potential court decision.

But the implications that decision has for other essential fundamental rights that the court has recognized over the years that have been derived from the same privacy protections that Roe relied on, namely in Griswold v. Connecticut and other important cases, But it's also critical to bring this forward for many elements of this resolution that call for our region and our city to prepare as a place that is going to be a critical hub of people being able to receive access to abortion in an affordable and accessible way that they won't be able to do in close by jurisdictions, particularly the state of Idaho.

And that that is going to involve some resource discussions and decisions that we're going to need to make as local governments to safeguard that right and safeguard access to comprehensive health care, including the right and ability to access safe abortion procedures.

So I think this is a very timely resolution and responsive.

Appreciate the amendments Councilmember Herbold brought forward and Councilmember Sawant for introducing it.

With that, Council Member Sawant, I think that it is to you to, oh, sorry, Council Member Morales, please.

My apologies.

I was late on the draw there.

I also want to thank Council Member Sawant and Council Member Herbold.

We did work in my office just to make sure that we are hearing from the actual abortion care providers and advocates.

And everybody agrees that this is incredibly important for us to do as a city.

I think we all know what this is really about.

spoke briefly at briefing yesterday.

But as we all know, this is not about abortion per se.

This is about controlling women's bodies and controlling their ability to make their own decisions about their bodies, their family, their community.

So it's important that we are providing this public statement about what we will do as a city to protect people who need this care.

So I look forward to working with my colleagues to identify specifically what we are able to do as a city and to work with King County Public Health and with the state to make sure that we're providing as much protection as we can for people.

So thank you for everyone being on board with providing this care.

Thank you, Council Member Morales.

Council Member Swan, close us out on this resolution.

Thank you so much, Council President Jordan-Lewis.

I really appreciate the comments by all council members who just spoke in support of abortion rights and upholding Roe v. Wade and in support of the resolution.

I'm also thanking all council members in advance of the vote in anticipation that all council members will be voting yes.

And I completely agree with the points that were made that we should do everything in our power as a city and as city council members to expand funding for services and show our solidarity materially and actually concretely with people in other states who will need these services.

And that is precisely why the resolution from my office says that explicitly in the language.

And that's another reason why it's good that the resolution passes today.

And I hope that other city councils in other cities and not only in Washington state, but other states also follow this example and do this.

As a socialist, though, I also feel like my duty is to go beyond that and also talk about why we are facing this attack in the first place is to reiterate the points that I made and some of the speakers in public comment made that we are here in the first place because we have not seen the Democratic Party establishment fight in the way that it needs to fight.

The Democratic Party has had 50 years to have codified Roe v. Wade.

They could have done it in any of the periods that they had.

the majority in Congress.

And so that's why this resolution also talks about why it is important that they push to codify.

But I will also be very clear that I don't believe that at this moment there is enough pressure on congressional Democrats to do this.

That is why this resolution is a very small but important step in my view to do this.

Ultimately, it will be important for mass protests to turn out this week and in the coming weeks.

and also to be sober that just having mass protests by themselves will not be able to budge the Supreme Court from what they have decided because there is a very determined current of right-wing that is pushing for this.

That is why in addition to mass protests, we need mass workplace action, we need militant workplace action, and we need non-violent civil disobedience actions as well.

And all of those actions should also begin a conversation about the need for what kind of political party working people need.

And in my view, working people need a new party that will fight against this kind of oppression, like sexism, homophobia, and transphobia, and attacks on people of color, especially racism against the black community.

And we need a party that will actually stand with rank-and-file workers, both union and non-union, in order to put forward not only the labor struggle inside the workplace, but for the labor movement to stand up in solidarity against these kinds of attacks.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Sawant.

With that, let's go ahead and call the roll on passage of the resolution.

Excuse me, Council President Pro Tem, Council Member Mosqueda may have a word.

Oh, I'm sorry, Council Member Mosqueda.

Thank you, Mr. President, and sorry to be late on comments as well.

I do want to emphasize my support for this.

In the 12 or so hours, less than 24 hours after the announcement came out, many people were asking, what does this mean for Seattle, who's been on the record supporting Seattle being a welcoming city for many issues, but especially on health care access?

Many of us made comments in the wake of the 2017 election as well, with many concerns about how The federal election, the presidential election was going to affect women's access and people's access to reproductive justice.

And I think that the comments that we're making here today via this via this resolution really continue to emphasize the long standing commitment that Seattle has had to protecting folks ability to access reproductive justice healthcare is reproductive care and appreciate the amendments that were put forward as well.

I think also by today's action folks are signaling support for continuing the discussion and beyond discussion, the commitments in the budget for the upcoming year to make sure that we continue to provide the resources.

I wasn't able to comment on whether or not the council would be able to have a unified perspective on that going into the budget deliberations, but I think that this resolution codifies that interest, and I hope that that will send a united message to the executive as well as the budget is being considered for the upcoming 2023-2024 deliberations.

Obviously, we want to make sure that as we consider protections, they have resources to make sure that folks have access to safe abortions, protect people who need to have freedom from harassment and assault or disruptions at those abortion clinics, and make sure that we are providing specific support for people who will be traveling in and out of our city if it comes to that.

I look forward to working with our colleagues here and other localities across the country as we continue to fight back by providing resources and protection along with the necessary health care as part of the national response and appreciate that this is a joint call for not only resources and direct action.

but for congressional members to take action along with the federal delegation and president to codify in statute Roe v. Wade.

So looking forward to how we can continue this discussion via resources in the upcoming budget.

Thanks, colleagues.

Thank you, Council Member Mosqueda.

And with those remarks, will the clerk please call the roll on the adoption of the resolution as amended?

Council Member Peterson.

Yes.

Council Member Sawant.

Yes.

Council Member Strauss.

Yes.

Council Member Herbold.

Yes.

Council Member Morales.

Yes.

Council Member Mosqueda.

Aye.

Council Member Nelson.

Aye.

Council President Pro Tem Lewis.

Yes.

Eight in favor, none opposed.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

The resolution is adopted as amended and the chair will sign it.

Will the clerk please affix my signature to the legislation on my behalf?

Council colleagues, moving on to other business.

Before doing a general call for other business from council members, I did just want to take a brief moment to recognize that during council session, we did receive an email from city clerk Monica Simmons, recognizing our city archivist, Anne Frantilla, being recognized by the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators with the REDI Award, which stands for Racism, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion Award, recognizing archivist Frantilla's work in increasing the access of the city of Seattle archives and leading with equity and inclusion.

I'm sure we're gonna have more time to formally recognize our city archivist and celebrate her receiving this award in the coming days, but did wanna take the opportunity under new business to publicly recognize this honor for Anne and for the city.

With that, is there any other business from council members?

Council member Morales.

Thank you, Council President Pro Tem.

I would like to request to be excused Monday and Tuesday, June 27th and 28th.

Is there any objection to Council Member Morales being excused on those dates?

Seeing no objection, Council Member Morales, you, Council Member Strauss?

Do you have an objection to Council Member Morales being excused?

No, sir, I don't, I had enough.

So hearing that, Council Member Morales is excused on those dates.

Council Member Strauss, what days do you wanna be excused for?

June 12th and 13th.

Is there any objection to Council Member Strauss being excused for June 12th and 13th?

Excuse me, Council President Pro Tem.

It's June.

Are we referring to the City Council meeting on June 14?

Oh, my apologies.

Council Member Strauss, I may have just misheard you on on your dates.

Thank you for the clarification both June 13 for Council Briefing, June 14 for full Council.

Okay, is there any objection to Council Member Strauss being excused on those dates?

Hearing no objection, Council Member Strauss will be excused on those dates.

Any other, Council Member Sawant.

Thank you.

I move to be excused from the City Council meetings on June 7th and June 14th.

Is there any objection to Council Member Sawant being excused on those days?

Hearing no objection, Council Member Sawant is hereby excused on those days.

That quorum will be tight on the 14th.

Any other motions before the council or business for the good of the order.

All right, seeing none.

Colleagues that does conclude the items of business on today's agenda.

Our next regularly scheduled city council meeting is on May 17 2022 at 2pm.

I hope you all have a wonderful afternoon we are adjourned.