SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
FEDERATION
October 23, 2012
Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:11pm; introductions. Minutes
from September meeting approved.
SCCF bank balance: #3,414.82.
Topic: Budget
Mayor presents the proposed budget in late September; City
Council acts on it and approves by mid-November. The City Budget is a statement
of the city's priorities. It is a two-year budget. In the general fund, the
largest amount is budgeted on public safety.
Bill Bradburd asked if we know how much other cities pay for
public safety.
Chris Leman: Good question.
Jeff Floor: Similarly sized Boston has more police.
Chris Leman: Other cities are cutting public safety and
closing fire stations. The Mayor feels there is enough revenue this year to add
officers, more staff.
Jeannie Hale asked about Crime Prevention, public education,
block watches.
Chris Leman: There have been steady cuts to the Crime
Prevention program; the Neighborhood Councils prevented the elimination of the
program altogether. The program tries to focus on prevention and identifying
hot spots.
Kathryn Keller mentioned East PAC meetings.
Chris Leman said that East PAC is open but West PAC is
dominated by downtown; police chief selects members. Chris said there is a
proposal to have a portion of the parking fees goes into a fund to improve the
business districts (where there are parking fees.)
Jeannie Hale: Is there any indication that we need to keep
the current police chief?
Chris Leman said that the police chief serves at the
pleasure of the Mayor. The City Council reviews every five years. Fed emergency
funds decreasing. Utilities accounts for more than half the budget but there is
no communication from the dept.
Kathryn Keller said there is good communication in Madison
Valley.
Chris Leman said that under state law, must have newspaper
of record, The Daily Journal of Commerce is not appropriate for notices.
SDOT:
Bill Bradburd said there is $2 billion in deferred
maintenance. Some arterials in bad condition. The underfunding doesn't keep up
with the backlog. Preventive maintenance is zero.
PARKS:
Chris Leman introduced John Barber to help us review the
Parks budget.
Lionel Job asked about Dept. of Neighborhoods.
Chris Leman said it is the smallest department. There have
been cuts in the number of district coordinators and the Landmarks Board. They
have an education in schools program.
John Barber said it is difficult to respond in a short time
but he said the Parks Foundation conducted a study, which shows that Parks is
$20 million a year short of funds, and has been losing ground since 1991. There
have been significant reductions in force. Although the funds are going up,
Parks is still losing 6 staff positions (FTEs.) This means more cutbacks in
maintenance. Seasonal workers cut. Painting crew very low in staff; they are
supposed to paint comfort stations in the parks and paint out graffiti.
Carol Fisher is on the COLA (Community off-leash areas)
Board. The lawn in these areas is only cut 2x per year.
Skip Knox asked about the lower figure for judgment of
claims. Why the lower projection?
Do they anticipate fewer claims?
Do they anticipate fewer claims?
John Barber thinks it is a reflection of a large settlement
paid in previous year.
Carol Fisher pointed out that the Parks Foundation has a
focus on parks and not recreation.
Kathryn Keller asked about the Green Seattle Partnership.
Chris Leman said the previous Mayor had a 25-year plan to
help maintain parks. There is rigorous reporting from Green Seattle.
GREENWAYS:
Chris Leman said the Bicycle Master Plan has no greenways in
it. Sally Bagshaw has been promoting greenways but there is no legislation to
get the greenways into the master plan. The Budget process seems to be ahead of
the planning process. Greenways are supposed to connect major parts of the
city. Money should be set aside for pedestrian/bicycle projects and have the
neighborhoods compete for the funds. We want more funding set aside for Parks
than the Parks Board is asking for.
Jeannie Hale said the Community Center hours should be
evened up.
Carol Fisher: some CCs are getting extra hours.
Chris Leman made the motion that the Federation write a
letter urging improved funding for the Parks, equitable hours for community
center operations and additional funding for crime prevention. Rick Barrett
offered the second. Motion approved unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 9:17pm.