Seattle meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Seattle budget briefings fill the week as council meetings are cancelled and no votes are recorded

Seattle's Select Budget Committee spent the past two weeks hearing briefings on the 2027-2028 proposed budget, while two scheduled City Council meetings were cancelled. According to official minutes, no formal legislative actions or votes were taken at any of the budget sessions.

Budget briefings, but no decisions

The Select Budget Committee met four times in the past two weeks, and each session was informational.

On October 13, the committee received presentations from Central Staff on the 2027-2028 proposed budget, including an analysis of General Fund balancing and sustainability, an information item on voluntary separation, and department overviews for the Office of Planning and Community Development and the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections.

On October 14, the committee heard further information items on the 2027-2028 Proposed Budget. No substantive decisions, approvals, or denials were recorded.

On October 15, the committee heard budget presentations from the Seattle Police Department, the Seattle Fire Department, Community Assisted Response and Engagement, and the Human Services Department and United Care Team.

A Select Budget Committee meeting scheduled for October 16 was cancelled. No items were discussed or decided.

Council meetings cancelled

The Seattle City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, was cancelled. The agenda contained only a cancellation notice and accessibility information, with no items listed for decision or discussion.

The Council Briefing scheduled for October 19 was also cancelled, according to its agenda, which is a cancellation notice.

Vehicle residents and Aurora Ave N parcels listed on the October 20 agenda

The City Council's October 20 agenda listed several items for discussion, including ordinances to create a structured pathway to shelter for people living in vehicles and a new permitting program. The listed items were:

• Proposed Vehicle Resident Assistance Program and permitting for motor homes and travel trailers (Res 32216, CB 121283)
• Acquisition of three parcels on Aurora Ave N for Seattle Public Utilities (CB 121292)
• Modification of development standards for institutions in multifamily zones (CB 121276)
• Interlocal agreement with Seattle Public Schools for bicycle and pedestrian safety training (CB 121299)
• Updating authority to execute leases for transitional encampments and overnight respite areas (CB 121279)

Minutes for this meeting have not been published, so what the Council decided, if anything, is not established by the available record. The items above were listed on the agenda; they are not confirmed outcomes.

Coming up

October 26 — City Council. Two ordinances recommended by the Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee are scheduled: CB 121297, amending Seattle Municipal Code Sections 11.16.240 and 11.16.360 regarding traffic management and public safety, and CB 121298, requesting new requirements for truck lateral protective devices and safety equipment for City contractors. The Council Briefing scheduled for the same day at 2:00 PM has been cancelled.

October 27 — Select Budget Committee. Discussion of Council Budget Actions and Statements of Legislative Intent, plus budget briefings for Seattle Municipal Court, the City Attorney's Office / Law Department, the Office of Housing, Seattle City Light, and Seattle Public Utilities. The City Council meeting scheduled for October 27 has been cancelled.

October 28 — Select Budget Committee. Continued discussion of Council Budget Actions and Statements of Legislative Intent, with briefings on the Office of Economic Development, the Seattle Department of Transportation, the Seattle Fire Department, the Office of Arts and Culture, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and Seattle Center.

October 29 — Select Budget Committee. Discussion of amendments to the 2027-2028 Proposed Budget ahead of developing the Balancing Package, with briefings from the Human Services Department, the Seattle Police Department, Community Assisted Response and Engagement, the City Budget Office, and the Office of the Mayor.

The Council Briefings scheduled for November 2 and November 9 have both been cancelled.

Seattle committee recommends CTO confirmation; budget briefings and cancellations fill the fortnight

Seattle's Governance and Utilities Committee voted 4-0 on Oct. 8 to recommend that the full City Council confirm Shannon Smith as Chief Technology Officer, for a term ending July 1, 2030. It was the only recorded vote in the two weeks covered by this roundup, a period in which the council's regular Tuesday meetings were cancelled and most scheduled business consisted of budget presentations that took no formal action.

Committee advances technology officer, forwards auditor appointment

According to the committee's official minutes, the 4-0 recommendation sends Smith's appointment to the City Council for confirmation. The same meeting heard the introduction of the appointment for City Auditor and referred it to the City Council for confirmation at its Dec. 8, 2026, meeting. The minutes do not name the auditor appointee.

Budget committee hears 2027-2028 proposal, takes no votes

The Select Budget Committee met four times in the period, and its minutes record no substantive decisions, approvals or denials at any of them.

• **Oct. 6:** A public hearing conducted across two sessions. The minutes record no substantive decisions, votes or approved actions.
• **Oct. 13:** Presentations from Central Staff on the 2027-2028 proposed budget, including an overview of the proposal, analysis of General Fund balancing and sustainability, an information item on voluntary separation, and department overviews for the Office of Planning and Community Development and the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections.
• **Oct. 14:** Further information items on the 2027-2028 proposed budget. No decisions were recorded.
• **Oct. 15:** Budget presentations from the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, Community Assisted Response and Engagement, and the Human Services Department with the United Care Team.

The summaries provided do not include dollar figures for the proposed budget. The committee's work so far has been informational; nothing in the record shows a budget adopted or forwarded.

A run of cancellations

Five meetings in the period were called off, each with an agenda containing only a cancellation notice:

• The Council Briefing of Oct. 5.
• The City Council meeting of Oct. 6, scheduled for 2:00 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.
• A special Council Briefing on Oct. 9.
• The City Council meeting of Oct. 13, also scheduled for 2:00 PM at City Hall.
• The Select Budget Committee meeting of Oct. 16.

For these items, the record available is the agenda only; minutes have not yet been published. A cancelled meeting is not evidence that the underlying business was withdrawn.

Coming up

The City Council's Oct. 20 agenda lists several items for discussion, none of them yet decided:

• A proposed Vehicle Resident Assistance Program and permitting for motor homes and travel trailers (Res 32216, CB 121283).
• Acquisition of three parcels on Aurora Ave N for Seattle Public Utilities (CB 121292).
• Modification of development standards for institutions in multifamily zones (CB 121276).
• An interlocal agreement with Seattle Public Schools for bicycle and pedestrian safety training (CB 121299).
• Updated authority to execute leases for transitional encampments and overnight respite areas (CB 121279).

The council is also scheduled to take up the City Auditor confirmation on Dec. 8, 2026.

Three Council Briefings in the coming weeks have already been cancelled: Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. Residents interested in the vehicle-resident proposals or the Aurora Ave N parcels should watch the Oct. 20 City Council agenda and any published minutes; the linked official documents are the authoritative record.

Committee recommends CTO appointment as Seattle budget hearings continue and council meetings are cancelled

Seattle's Governance and Utilities Committee voted 4-0 on October 8 to recommend that the City Council confirm Shannon Smith as Chief Technology Officer, for a term ending July 1, 2030. According to the meeting records summarized here, it was the only recorded vote taken by a city body in the past two weeks.

The same committee heard the introduction of the appointment for City Auditor and referred it to the City Council for confirmation at the December 8, 2026, meeting. The records do not name the person introduced for that position.

Budget work continues without votes

The Select Budget Committee met twice in the past two weeks, and neither meeting produced a recorded decision.

On September 29, the committee heard information items on the Mayor's 2027 and 2028 Proposed Budgets. No substantive decisions or votes were recorded for the items presented.

On October 6, the committee held a public hearing across two sessions. The minutes record no substantive decisions, votes, or approved actions.

Council meetings cancelled

Several scheduled meetings were cancelled, with agendas containing only a cancellation notice and accessibility information:

• **September 29** — City Council, scheduled for 2:00 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 600 4th Avenue.
• **October 5** — Council Briefing.
• **October 6** — City Council, scheduled for 2:00 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.
• **October 9** — special Council Briefing.

For each, the records state that no business was scheduled to be taken up.

Coming up

The Select Budget Committee is scheduled to meet twice in the next two weeks, and both sessions are open to the public.

October 13 — The committee will receive Central Staff analyses on the 2027-2028 Proposed Budget and General Fund balancing, discuss policy options, and review briefings for specific city departments. Agenda items include a draft ordinance regarding Voluntary Early Separations, a briefing from the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), and a briefing from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI).

October 14 — The committee will again receive Central Staff analyses on the 2027-2028 Proposed Budget and discuss how the budget is balanced. Briefings and discussion are listed for the Office of Housing (OH), Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), Seattle Center (CEN), and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).

Also on the calendar: the City Council meeting scheduled for October 13 at 2:00 PM has been cancelled, as have the Council Briefings scheduled for October 19 and October 26.

A note on the records

The summaries above come from official agendas and minutes. For the cancelled meetings, the agendas contain only cancellation notices and minutes have not been published. For the Select Budget Committee meetings on September 29 and October 6, the minutes record no votes or approved actions. No dollar figures appear in the records reviewed for this roundup.

Seattle Council Passes Rental Fee Disclosure, Junk Fee Limits

The Seattle City Council on Aug. 11 passed an ordinance requiring landlords to disclose rental fees and prohibiting certain junk fees, with Councilmember Rivera disqualified from voting. The 8-0 vote was the most consequential action in the past two weeks, affecting housing costs for renters citywide.

City Council actions

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the council also passed a budget amendment (CB 121253, 9-0), accepted non-City funding (CB 121252, 9-0), approved a claims payment ordinance (CB 121271, 9-0), updated City Light's Green Power and Community Solar programs (CB 121261, 9-0), and authorized a Boundary Hydroelectric Project agreement (CB 121269, 9-0). The council adopted a resolution authorizing the Parks Superintendent to act as agent for grant funding (Res 32213, 9-0) and confirmed 11 appointments to the Indigenous Advisory Council, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee, and Seattle Center Advisory Commission (9-0).

A second council meeting on Aug. 18 was scheduled to confirm 18 appointments and pass two landmark ordinances (CB 121274 and CB 121273), but minutes have not yet been published, so no outcomes are reported.

Committee recommendations

Several committees met and took actions that will go to the full council.

Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development (Aug. 21) recommended passage of three ordinances: clarifying Ballard Business Improvement Area assessment escalations (CB 121270, 3-0, Hollingsworth absent), modifying Capitol Hill BIA boundaries and assessments (CB 121272, 4-0), and establishing domestic worker labor standards including written agreements and leave protections (CB 121266, 4-0). Two other bills—on algorithmic price discrimination (CB 121267) and commercial tenancy transparency (CB 121275)—were discussed but not voted on.

Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods (Aug. 12) unanimously recommended confirmation of 17 appointments to boards and commissions, including the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy Oversight Committee, Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board, Landmarks Preservation Board, International Special Review District Board, and Community Involvement Commission. It also recommended passage of landmark controls for the Wilde-Streatfield House (CB 121274) and the Burwell House (CB 121273), all 3-0.

Public Safety Committee (Aug. 11) heard three information items—Bite of Seattle security response, King County Jail medical deferral data, and the Vehicle Resident Assistance Program—but took no votes.

Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights (Aug. 12) discussed the appointment of Kelli Larsen as Director of the Office of Housing and heard an annual reports presentation, with no votes.

Land Use and Sustainability (Aug. 19) discussed CB 121276 on development standards for institutions in multifamily zones, with no vote.

Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center (Aug. 20) reviewed a draft of the Seattle SAFER Streets Act, considered a resolution appointing Transportation Funding Task Force members, and received a briefing on the Seattle Street Improvement Program. No votes were reported.

Cancellations

Several meetings were cancelled: Governance and Utilities (Aug. 13), Council Briefing (Aug. 17), Finance, Native Communities, and Tribal Governments (Aug. 18), and Parks and City Light (Aug. 19). No items were discussed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days according to the data provided.

Seattle City Council passes 10 ordinances, adopts 2 resolutions

The Seattle City Council passed 10 ordinances and adopted 2 resolutions at its Aug. 4 meeting, all by unanimous 9-0 votes. The actions included updating controlled substance enforcement policy, creating a Do Not Solicit List for homeowners, expanding emergency utility bill assistance, revising water rates, and temporarily exempting some housing projects from design review. The council also granted a skybridge permit and an alley vacation, and set public hearings for two Business Improvement Area changes.

City Council actions

The Aug. 4 full council meeting was the most consequential of the past two weeks. Among the bills passed:

• **CB 121248** – Updated controlled substance possession enforcement policy (9-0)
• **CB 121259** – Created a Do Not Solicit List for homeowners (9-0)
• **CB 121247** – Expanded City Light emergency bill assistance (9-0)
• **CB 121245** – Revised water rates and low-income credits (9-0)
• **CB 121246** – Expanded Seattle Public Utilities emergency bill assistance (9-0)
• **CB 121243** – Temporarily exempted some housing from design review (9-0)

The council also granted FH, LLC a skybridge permit over 8th Ave (9-0) and adopted Res 32212 and Res 32211 to set public hearings for the Ballard and Capitol Hill Business Improvement Areas (9-0).

Committee actions

Several committees met and took votes or heard items during the period.

Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee (Aug. 3) – Recommended passage of CB 121254, a rental fee disclosure and enforcement bill, as amended, by a 5-0 vote. The bill now moves to the full council.

Finance, Native Communities, and Tribal Governments Committee (Aug. 4) – Recommended confirmation of five reappointments to the Indigenous Advisory Council (all 5-0). It also recommended passage of CB 121252 (grant acceptance and appropriation changes, 5-0) and CB 121253 (2026 budget amendments, 4-1, with Councilmember Kettle opposed).

Parks and City Light Committee (Aug. 5) – Recommended three items 4-0: CB 121261 (Voluntary Green Power and Community Solar updates), CB 121269 (Boundary Hydroelectric Project license amendments), and Res 32213 (authorizing the Parks Superintendent to act as agent for grant projects).

Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee (Aug. 6) – Confirmed seven appointments to the Central Waterfront Oversight Committee and Seattle Center Advisory Commission (all 3-0) and granted a conditional alley vacation to Swedish Health Services (3-0).

Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee (Aug. 12) – Recommended confirmation of 17 appointments to various boards and commissions (all 3-0) and recommended passage of two landmark ordinances: CB 121274 (Wilde-Streatfield House) and CB 121273 (Burwell House), both 3-0.

Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee (Aug. 7) – Discussed CB 121266 on domestic worker labor standards and heard two information items, but took no votes.

Public Safety Committee (Aug. 11) – Heard three information items, including a Bite of Seattle security response review and King County Jail medical deferral data, but took no votes.

Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee (Aug. 12) – Discussed the appointment of Kelli Larsen as Director of the Office of Housing and heard an annual reports presentation, but took no votes.

Cancelled meetings

The following meetings were cancelled with no items considered: Council Briefing (Aug. 3), Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan (Aug. 5), and Governance and Utilities Committee (Aug. 13).

Coming up

• **City Council (Aug. 18)** – Will vote on confirming 18 appointments and passing landmark ordinances for the Wilde-Streatfield House and Burwell House, plus a resolution on code formatting for accessibility.
• **Land Use and Sustainability Committee (Aug. 19)** – Will discuss CB 121276, which would modify development standards for institutions in multifamily zones. No vote is scheduled; public comment is planned.

Several other meetings are cancelled: Council Briefing (Aug. 17), Finance Committee (Aug. 18), and Parks and City Light Committee (Aug. 19).

Seattle Council Approves Education Levy Plan; Committees Advance Utility and Housing Measures

The Seattle City Council approved the implementation plan for the 2025 Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy on a 9-0 vote, a measure that guides spending for education and early learning programs. The council also passed a change to land use decision processes on a 5-4 vote and confirmed numerous commission appointments. Several committees recommended ordinances on utility assistance, water rates, and housing design review for full council consideration.

City Council actions

At its July 28 meeting, the council:

• Approved the 2025 Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy implementation plan (9-0).
• Passed CB 121215 to clarify council land use decision processes (5-4).
• Approved IT Talent Modernization pay rates and title structure (9-0).
• Confirmed 8 members to the Seattle Human Rights Commission, 6 to the Seattle Disability Commission, and 4 to the Seattle LGBTQ Commission (all 9-0).
• Approved collective bargaining agreements with Local 17 and IBEW Local 77 (9-0).
• Approved CB 121260 for claims payment for July 13-17, 2026 (9-0).

Committee recommendations

Several committees met in late July and early August and recommended ordinances for full council action:

• The Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee recommended CB 121242 to allow FH, LLC d/b/a Skyline to build and operate a pedestrian skybridge over 8th Avenue (5-0) and CF 314530 to vacate an alley at 8623 Palatine Ave N (5-0).
• The Public Safety Committee recommended CB 121248 to update controlled substances enforcement policy (5-0).
• The Governance and Utilities Committee recommended CB 121246 and CB 121247 to expand emergency bill assistance for Seattle Public Utilities and City Light customers, and CB 121245 to revise water rates, charges, and low-income credits (all 5-0).
• The Land Use and Sustainability Committee recommended CB 121243 to temporarily exempt certain housing projects from Design Review and allow administrative design review options (4-0).

Other meetings

The Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan heard presentations on anti-displacement strategies and the Chair's letter on Phase III of the Comprehensive Plan on July 30; no votes were taken. Two meetings were cancelled: the Council Briefing scheduled for August 3 and the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan scheduled for August 5.

Coming up

The only upcoming meeting listed is the Parks and City Light Committee scheduled for August 19, which has been cancelled. No other upcoming meetings are currently on the calendar.

Seattle committees advance water rate changes, housing rules, and controlled substances policy

Seattle council committees advanced several ordinances this week affecting utility bills, housing regulations, and public safety policy, with full City Council votes on several items scheduled for August 4.

Utility rates and bill assistance

The Governance and Utilities Committee recommended three ordinances on July 29, all passing 5-0. CB 121245 would revise Seattle Public Utilities water rates, charges, and low-income credits. CB 121246 would expand eligibility for emergency bill assistance for Seattle Public Utilities customers, and CB 121247 would do the same for City Light customers. All three now head to the full Council.

Housing and land use

The Land Use and Sustainability Committee recommended passage of CB 121243 on July 30, voting 4-0. The ordinance proposes temporary regulations to exempt certain housing projects from Design Review and allow for Administrative Design Review options.

The Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee recommended on July 22 that the Council pass CB 121259, establishing a residential Do Not Solicit List to protect homeowners from unwanted property solicitation. The vote was 4-0. The same committee also recommended confirmation of 8 appointments to the Seattle Human Rights Commission, 7 to the Seattle Disability Commission, and 4 to the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, each vote 4-0. The committee discussed CB 121254 regarding rental agreement fee regulation but took no action.

Earlier, on July 23, the Land Use and Sustainability Committee heard Information Item Inf 2932 regarding subarea plans for Northgate, Downtown, and the Manufacturing & Industrial Center. No decisions were made.

Transportation and infrastructure

The Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee recommended on July 27 that the Council pass CB 121242, allowing FH, LLC d/b/a Skyline to build and operate a pedestrian skybridge over 8th Avenue in First Hill. The vote was 5-0. The committee also recommended granting CF 314530, a petition for an alley vacation at 8623 Palatine Ave N, also 5-0.

Public safety

The Public Safety Committee recommended passage of CB 121248 on July 28, voting 5-0. The ordinance updates City policy for enforcement of knowing possession and use of controlled substances.

Education levy and budget items

The Select Committee on the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy met July 22 to review CB 1212401, an ordinance approving the FEPP Implementation and Evaluation Plan required by Ordinance 127238. The full Council was scheduled to vote July 28 on the six-year implementation plan (CB 121240), which passed committee 8-1. Also on the July 28 agenda: CB 121215 amending land use decision processes (passed committee 3-0 with 2 abstentions), CB 121225 establishing a new IT pay structure, CB 121256 on a Fire Protection Engineer classification agreement with Professional and Technical Employees Local 17, and CB 121257 on a collective bargaining agreement with IBEW Local 77 for City Light employees. Minutes for the July 28 Council meeting have not yet been published.

The July 21 City Council agenda included CB 1212261, a sales and use tax proposition for the November 3, 2026 ballot to fund transit programs; CB 121250, transferring the Lake City Garage and Plaza from Finance to Parks & Recreation; CB 121249, authorizing ten-year agreements for City Light transportation electrification programs; and CB 1212312, establishing new City Light retail rate schedules for data-center electricity loads. Minutes for that meeting have not yet been published.

Comprehensive Plan discussion

The Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan met July 30 to receive a presentation on anti-displacement strategies from Rico Quirondongo, Michael Hubner, and Geoffrey Wentlandt of the Office of Planning and Community Development. The committee also discussed the Chair's letter regarding Phase III of the Comprehensive Plan.

Cancelled meetings

The Council Briefing on July 20, the Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee on July 22, and the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan on July 23 were all cancelled.

Coming up

• **August 3, 2:00 p.m.** — Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee will discuss and possibly vote on CB 1212541, regulating rental agreements including fee disclosures, fee limits, and enforcement. The Council Briefing scheduled for August 3 is cancelled.
• **August 4** — Finance, Native Communities, and Tribal Governments Committee will consider two budget ordinances (CB 1212527 and CB 1212538) and reappointments of five members to the Indigenous Advisory Council.
• **August 4** — City Council is scheduled to vote on water rate revisions, housing design review exemptions, the First Hill skybridge permit, the Do Not Solicit List, and an alley vacation at 8623 Palatine Ave N.
• **August 5** — Parks and City Light Committee will consider updates to City Light's Voluntary Green Power Programs, amendments to the Boundary Hydroelectric Project Relicensing Settlement Agreement, and a resolution authorizing Parks and Recreation to seek grant funding. The Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan meeting on August 5 is cancelled.

Seattle committee advances transit sales tax ballot measure; utility discount and land-use bills move forward

The Seattle Select Committee on the Seattle Transportation Benefit District voted 9-0 on July 16 to recommend passage of Council Bill 121226, which would place a sales and use tax proposition on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fund transit and related transportation programs. The full City Council is scheduled to take up the measure July 21.

Transit sales tax heads to full council

The July 16 vote followed a July 6 committee discussion of CB 121226 and a July 13 public hearing on the same bill. No members opposed the recommendation. The bill now moves to the full Council, where it is listed on the July 21 agenda as CB 1212261.

Utility discount and appointments recommended

The Governance and Utilities Committee voted 4-0 on July 9 to recommend passage of CB 121222, which amends income thresholds for the Utility Discount Program covering water, wastewater, drainage, solid waste, and electric utilities. The same committee voted 4-0 to recommend confirming Zahoor Ahmed to the Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District Board. Both items are listed on the July 14 City Council agenda.

Land-use bill recommended with abstentions

The Land Use and Sustainability Committee voted 3-0-2 on July 15 to recommend that the City Council adopt Council Bill 121215, which amends several sections of the Seattle Municipal Code to clarify land-use processes. The committee also held public hearings on a Data Center Moratorium (Inf 2922) and a Transitional Encampment Expansion (Inf 2923). No votes were recorded on those information items.

IT talent classification recommended

The Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee voted 3-0 on July 17 to recommend CB 121225, which creates a new Information Technology Talent Modernization classification and pay rates. The committee also heard two informational items on commercial affordability for small businesses; no votes were taken on those.

Education levy bill amended, no final vote

The Select Committee on the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy discussed and amended Council Bill 121240 on July 8. The bill approves an implementation and evaluation plan for the 2025 levy. No final vote or disposition was recorded; the measure remains pending further committee action.

Items scheduled but not yet confirmed

The July 7 City Council agenda listed several items for action, including CB 121241 (long-term City Light electric power and transmission purchase agreements), Res 32210 (City Light's 2027-2032 strategic plan and rate path), Res 322071 (Parking and Business Improvement Area policies), and six appointments to the Seattle Planning Commission (Appt 03536-03541). Minutes for that meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

The July 14 City Council agenda included CB 1212221 (utility discount income thresholds), CB 1212072 (Forensic Digital Evidence classification and pay rates for Seattle Police), the Zahoor Ahmed appointment, and four Domestic Workers Standards Board appointments (Danielle Budd, Estefana R. Harry, Serhii Fulytka, and Jared Lowery). Minutes are not yet published.

The July 15 Parks and City Light Committee agenda included CB 121231 (new City Light retail rates and a data-center customer class), CB 121249 (ten-year transportation electrification agreements), CB 121250 (transfer of Lake City Garage and Plaza to Seattle Parks and Recreation), and a briefing on the 2025 Baker Tilly Independent Audit. Minutes are not yet published.

The July 14 Public Safety Committee agenda listed CB 1212481, an ordinance updating city policy on enforcement of crimes involving knowing possession and use of controlled substances, including an amendment to Seattle Municipal Code Section 3.28.141 and repeal of Section 4 of Ordinance 126896. Minutes are not yet published.

Meetings cancelled

Several meetings were cancelled during this period: the July 6 and July 13 Council Briefings, the July 7 Finance, Native Communities, and Tribal Governments Committee, the July 8 Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee, the July 10 Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee (rescheduled to July 2), and the July 16 Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee.

Coming up

• **July 21, City Council:** Scheduled votes on the transit sales tax ballot measure (CB 1212261), Lake City Garage transfer (CB 121250), City Light transportation electrification agreements (CB 121249), and new City Light retail rates for data-center customers (CB 1212312). An executive session on pending litigation follows the public agenda.
• **July 21, Finance, Native Communities, and Tribal Governments Committee:** Review of 2026 budget amendments (CB 12125), Tribal Nations Summit progress update, and Indigenous Advisory Council annual update. Public comment available.
• **July 20 Council Briefing, July 22 Libraries Committee, and July 23 Comprehensive Plan Committee:** All cancelled.

Seattle Council Adopts Housing Levy Plan, Approves Affordable Housing Land Deals in 9-0 Votes

The Seattle City Council unanimously adopted the 2023 Housing Levy Administrative and Financial Plan for 2026-2028 and approved several affordable housing property actions at its June 30 meeting, all by 9-0 votes.

Housing Levy and Affordable Housing Actions

The Council passed CB 121218, adopting the 2023 Seattle Housing Levy plan and funding policies for 2026-2028. The Council also passed CB 121236, granting a ground lease at 2929 27th Ave S for affordable housing and early learning space; CB 121237, approving a Montlake property for a competitive developer RFP; and CB 121238, authorizing acquisition of two Central Area parcels for affordable homeownership. All four votes were 9-0.

Public Safety and Street Closures

Also on June 30, the Council passed CB 121233 authorizing street closures for public safety (9-0) and CB 121232 defining the duties of the Community Crisis Responder team (9-0). The Council excused Councilmembers Juarez and Strauss from the July 7, 2026 meeting.

City Light Strategic Plan and Rate Path

On July 1, the Parks and City Light Committee adopted the City Light Department's 2027-2032 Strategic Plan (4-0), endorsed the associated rate path (4-0), and recommended passage of an ordinance authorizing long-term power agreements (4-0). The full Council was scheduled to take up CB 121241 and Res 32210 on July 7; minutes from that meeting have not yet been published.

Planning Commission Appointments Confirmed

The Land Use and Sustainability Committee recommended confirmation of six appointments to the Seattle Planning Commission, all by 5-0 votes: T.J. Stutman, Amir Ehsaei, Hailey P. Karcher, Patrick W. Taylor, and the reappointments of Xiomara Alvarez and Andrew L. Dannenberg. The committee discussed CB 121215 on land use decision processes and CB 121243 on temporary design review exemptions but took no votes on either.

SPD Forensic Evidence Classification and Board Appointments

The Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee recommended passage of CB 121207, establishing a Forensic Digital Evidence classification series and pay rates in the Seattle Police Department (3-0). The committee also recommended confirming four appointments to the Domestic Workers Standards Board — Danielle Budd, Estefana R. Harry (reappointment), Serhii Fulytka, and Jared Lowery — each by 3-0. These items go to the full Council for final action.

Utility Discount Program

On July 9, the Governance and Utilities Committee recommended confirming Zahoor Ahmed to the Washington State Convention Center Public Facilities District Board (4-0) and recommended passage of CB 121222, an amended ordinance regarding Utility Discount Program income thresholds (4-0).

Items Discussed Without Final Action

The Select Committee on the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy discussed and amended CB 121240, which approves an implementation and evaluation plan for the 2025 levy. No final vote was recorded; the measure remains pending. The Select Committee on the Seattle Transportation Benefit District discussed CB 121226, which would place a sales and use tax proposition on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fund transit. No vote was taken. The Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee held information sessions on rental fee transparency and homeowner privacy with no votes.

Cancelled Meetings

Several meetings were cancelled during this period: the July 2 Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee; the July 6 Council Briefing; the July 7 Finance, Native Communities, and Tribal Governments Committee; and the July 8 Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee. The July 10 Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee meeting was cancelled and rescheduled to July 2.

Coming Up

• **July 13, 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM** — Select Committee on Seattle Transportation Benefit District holds a public hearing on a proposed transit sales and use tax for the November 3, 2026 ballot. Remote speakers at 9:30 AM; in-person speakers at 5:00 PM at City Hall.
• **July 14** — Public Safety Committee discusses CB 1212481, an ordinance updating city policy on enforcement of controlled substance possession and use crimes.
• **July 14** — City Council votes on utility discount income thresholds (CB 1212221), SPD Forensic Digital Evidence pay rates (CB 1212072), and several board appointments.
• **July 15** — Land Use and Sustainability Committee holds public hearings on a proposed data center moratorium (Ordinance 127447) and a transitional encampment expansion moratorium (Ordinance 127436).
• **July 15** — Parks and City Light Committee considers new City Light retail rate schedules and a data center customer class (CB 121231), transportation electrification agreements (CB 121249), and transfer of the Lake City Garage and Plaza to Seattle Parks and Recreation (CB 121250).

City Light rate plan adopted, housing and public safety measures advance in Seattle committee votes

Seattle's Parks and City Light Committee voted 4-0 on July 1 to adopt the City Light Department's 2027-2032 Strategic Plan and its associated utility rate path, and recommended passage of an ordinance authorizing long-term power purchase agreements. Those items now move to the full City Council, which is scheduled to vote on them July 7.

City Light strategic plan and rate path

The committee adopted the 2027-2032 City Light Strategic Plan (4-0), endorsed the associated rate path (4-0), and recommended passage of an ordinance authorizing long-term agreements for purchasing electric power and transmission services (4-0). No votes were cast against any of the three measures. The full Council is set to take up CB 121241 and Res 32210 on July 7.

Public safety ordinances advance

The Public Safety Committee on June 23 voted 5-0 to recommend passage of CB 121232, which defines the duties of the Community Crisis Responder team. The committee also voted 4-0 to recommend CB 121233, authorizing street closures for public safety. Both bills now go to the full Council. The committee also heard Inf 2907, the SPD Q1 staffing and performance report, but took no action on it.

Housing Levy plan and land deals recommended

The Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee on June 24 recommended that the Council pass the 2023 Seattle Housing Levy Administrative and Financial Plan for 2026-2028 (CB 121218, 3-0). The committee also recommended three real estate actions: a ground lease at 2929 27th Ave South for affordable housing and childcare (CB 121236, 3-0), a Montlake neighborhood property transfer to a developer (CB 121237, 3-0), and acquisition of two Central Area parcels for affordable homeownership (CB 121238, 3-0).

The full Council's June 30 agenda listed these items, but minutes for that meeting have not yet been published, so final Council action is not confirmed in the available record.

Planning Commission appointments confirmed

The Land Use and Sustainability Committee on July 1 recommended confirmation of six appointments to the Seattle Planning Commission, all by 5-0 votes: T.J. Stutman, Amir Ehsaei, Hailey P. Karcher, and Patrick W. Taylor as new members, and reappointments of Xiomara Alvarez and Andrew L. Dannenberg. The committee also discussed CB 121215 on land use decision processes and CB 121243 on temporary design review exemptions, but took no vote on either bill.

SPD digital evidence classification and board appointments

The Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee on July 2 recommended passage of CB 121207, which establishes a Forensic Digital Evidence classification series and pay rates within the Seattle Police Department (3-0). The committee also recommended confirming four appointments to the Domestic Workers Standards Board — Danielle Budd, Estefana R. Harry (reappointment), Serhii Fulytka, and Jared Lowery — each by 3-0 votes.

Meetings with no action taken

Several committees held informational sessions with no votes. The Select Committee on the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy heard an overview of Inf 2918 on the 2025 Levy implementation and evaluation plan on June 30. The Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee heard reports on homeowner privacy and solicitation on June 29. Multiple meetings were cancelled, including the June 22 Council Briefing, the June 22 Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan public hearing, the June 24 Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee, the June 26 Human Services Committee, and the July 2 Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee.

Coming up

• **July 6 — Select Committee on Seattle Transportation Benefit District:** The committee will review CB 1212261, an ordinance to place a sales and use tax proposition on the November 3, 2026 ballot to fund transit and related transportation programs. Public comment and a review of the fiscal note and racial equity impact summary are scheduled before action.
• **July 7 — City Council:** Scheduled votes on CB 121241 (City Light power agreements), Res 32210 (City Light strategic plan and rate path), Res 322071 (Parking and Business Improvement Area policies), and confirmation of six Planning Commission appointments.
• **July 8, 10, 16, and 20:** Four scheduled meetings — Libraries Committee, Human Services Committee, Transportation Committee, and Council Briefing — are listed as cancelled.

Council committee advances 2023 Housing Levy plan, three land deals for affordable housing

A key Seattle City Council committee recommended passage of the city’s 2023 Housing Levy administrative and financial plan for the next two years, along with three separate land transactions that would expand affordable housing and childcare in several neighborhoods. The vote, held June 24 during the Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee, moves the measures to the full council for final approval.

Housing and land deals advance

In a 3–0 vote, the committee recommended passing CB 121218, the 2023 Seattle Housing Levy Administrative and Financial Plan covering 2026–2028. The levy is a major source of funding for the city’s affordable housing efforts.

The committee also voted 3–0 to advance three property actions:

• CB 121236, a ground lease for a site at 2929 27th Avenue South intended for affordable housing with an on-site childcare facility,
• CB 121237, a property transfer in the Montlake neighborhood to a developer through a request‑for‑proposals process, and
• CB 121238, the acquisition of two parcels in the Central Area that would be used for affordable homeownership opportunities.

The full council discussed these items on June 30, but no final vote has occurred.

Public safety recommendations

On June 23, the Public Safety Committee sent two ordinances to the full council on unanimous votes. CB 121232, which defines the duties of the city’s Community Crisis Responder team, was recommended 5–0. CB 121233, authorizing street closures for public safety purposes, was recommended 4–0. The committee also heard an informational report on first-quarter staffing and performance within the Seattle Police Department but took no action.

City Light adopts long‑term plan and rate path

The Parks and City Light Committee voted 4–0 on July 1 to adopt Resolution 32210, which approves the Seattle City Light Department’s 2027–2032 strategic plan and its endorsed utility rate path. The committee also recommended passage of an ordinance authorizing long‑term power and transmission agreements (4–0). The full council is scheduled to take up those measures on July 7.

Other committee action

The Land Use and Sustainability Committee confirmed six appointments to the Seattle Planning Commission on July 1, each by a 5–0 vote. New appointees include T.J. Stutman, Amir Ehsaei, Hailey P. Karcher, and Patrick W. Taylor; reappointments went to Xiomara Alvarez and Andrew L. Dannenberg. The committee also discussed two council bills on land‑use decision processes and temporary design review exemptions but did not vote.

On July 2, the Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee voted 3–0 to recommend establishing a Forensic Digital Evidence classification and pay rates in the Seattle Police Department (CB 121207). The same committee confirmed four appointments to the Domestic Workers Standards Board, all by 3–0 votes: Danielle Budd, Estefana R. Harry (reappointment), Serhii Fulytka, and Jared Lowery.

Multiple scheduled meetings were cancelled over the past two weeks, including the June 22 Council Briefing, the June 26 Human Services Committee, and the July 2 Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee.

Coming up

The Select Committee on the Seattle Transportation Benefit District meets July 6 to review an ordinance (CB 1212261) that would place a sales and use tax proposition on the November 3, 2026, ballot to fund transit programs. A public comment period and review of fiscal and equity impacts are on the agenda.

On July 7, the full City Council is expected to vote on the City Light long‑term power agreements (CB 121241) and the 2027–2032 strategic plan and rate path (Resolution 32210). The council will also consider confirming the six planning commission appointments and updating policies for Parking and Business Improvement Areas (Resolution 322071). The Finance, Native Communities, and Tribal Governments Committee meeting originally scheduled for that day has been cancelled.

Several other committee meetings over the next two weeks have been cancelled, including the July 8 Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee and the July 10 Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee.