Local Government and Industry Affairs and Public Safety June 2024

Article provided by Catherine Stanford

The Government Affairs Committee hosted Seattle Department of Transportation staff to review Mayor Harrell’s proposed transportation levy. The current levy expires at the end of this year. The Council is currently reviewing and amending the proposed legislation and plans to take action on July 9, 2024 to put it on the ballot this November. The mayor's proposal will increase the current levy rate from 34 cents per $1,000 valuation to 60 cents or higher.

Links to additional Information:

• Transportation Levy Renewal Proposal - City of Seattle - Draft for Public Input
• Transportation Chair Saka proposes changes to Seattle transportation levy to prioritize safety, economy, and climate - Seattle City Council Blog

Key Seattle GA Issues:

1. Building Performance Energy Standards: Rule Making Process  Will begin later this month; BOMA’s team will be fully engaged. Process will go through Q2 of next year.
   
2. Personal Guarantees and Security Deposit Limits in Commercial Leases: Finance and Administration Services has produced rules; ordinance is in effect Consumer Protection (seattle.gov)
   
3. West Seattle to Ballard Light Rail-SLU Station-Sound Transit Board voted to stay with the original plan which will shut down Mercer for eight years.
4.  Council President Nelson’s Bill to enhance the recruitment and retention program for SPD passed.

Public Safety Committee
Committee discussed Sound Transit (ST) rider security continuing concerns. People are not being removed from the cars even if they are disturbing other passengers. We are following up with ST Board as well as King County Metro Security.

There is an issue with property owners not being allowed to post “Conditions of Entry” signs in front of a vacant space. BOMA's Local Legislative Consultant, Catherine Stanford, connected with the City Attorney’s office this week to pursue other options for our members. Property owners may put up their own signs with “no trespassing/loitering” etc. It was suggested that they may want to get input from legal counsel. It was also encouraged to call 911 if trespassers refuse to move along. We asked for consideration of a more robust program; particularly given the public safety issues downtown.

There was a request for information on what is being planned for the FIFA games; follow up information coming soon.