Seattle Community Council Federation

SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION

http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/

Regular Meeting

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency), Pacific Marine Center on Lake Union

1801 Fairview Avenue East

Thursday, November 19, 2009

AGENDA

The Role of the City Attorney’s Office in Representing the Public Interest –

A Dialogue with City Attorney Elect Pete Holmes

Pete Holmes surprised many people (including himself) with a landslide victory in defeating incumbent City Attorney Tom Carr. Prior to his taking office in January, the Federation is pleased to host Pete for a preview of his four-year term. A key difference in the campaign was his stronger emphasis on the City Attorney as being a public interest advocate and guardian. That is, Pete Holmes sees his clients as being not just the Mayor and City Council, but also the public—a view espoused by many of the other elected city attorneys around the country. In a free-ranging presentation and question-and-answer session, Pete will discuss how he will approach his new position, including its potential as advocate for the public interest.

Highlights of Other Agenda items:

· An update from Chas Talbot, Operations Manager, Regional Commission on Airport Affairs—Why has there been an upsurge in aircraft noise? How has Sea-Tac and the Port addressed environmental concerns? Other issues.

· Is there hope for Open and Participatory Government in Seattle? The Council has issued no timetable for developing a “coordinated plan and policy on open and participatory government,” nor invited suggestions from the public for the plan, nor issued a draft for comment. A public hearing is scheduled on Monday, December 7 at 5:30 in the Council Chambers. Issues and possible solutions in a discussion led by Chris Leman. (http://www.seattle.gov/council/committees/open_gov_comm.htm)

· The future of the Pike Place Market—Joan Paulson, Urban Planner and Pike Place Constituency member, will provide a briefing about the legislation creating the Market Public Development Authority (PDA) which will sunset in 2014, after which the City Council and the Mayor's office will assume jurisdiction of the market zoning.

7:00 Call to Order and Introductions

Administration

1. Changes to the agenda

2. Treasurer’s report

3. President’s report

7:15 A Dialogue with City Attorney Elect Pete Holmes

8:05 An Update from the Regional Commission on Airport Affairs – Chas Talbot

8:25 Open and Participatory Government in Seattle – Promise or Reality? Chris Leman

8:40 The Future of the Pike Place Market – Joan Paulson

8:55 Round Robin (if time permits)

9:00 Adjourn

NOAA is a federal facility on high security alert, so attendees must enter by the security gate and may need to present photo ID. If you haven't attended a recent Federation meeting, please send your name, contact information, and address to rickbarrett@gmail.com to be added to the entry list. No e-mail? Call 206-365-1267. The building is ADA compliant, with ample parking in front.