|
February 9th Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: 7:30 PM
Flag Salute led by City Council Member Tom Rasmussen
Featured Speaker: City Council Member Tom Rasmussen
Accomplishments for 2004
• Re-established mobile for seniors and children.
• Working on the problem of elder abuse.
• Chair of Housing Committee?working with community to understand
implications to cuts in Section 8 housing by the Bush administration.
• Worked on transportation solutions for monorail.
• Worked on viable options for the replacement of the Alaskan
Way viaduct.
• Established newsletter tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov
Brief Discussion: Tunnel vs. Viaduct
Rasmussen supports the tunnel option vs. the viaduct for the following
reasons:
• Tunnel provides the opportunity for people to access the
waterfront.
• Even though it is more expensive, in the long-run a tunnel
is the better option.
• A tunnel is more safe in an earthquake that a bridge.
• Homeless Service Center: 3.2M in funding has been appointed
to establish a Homeless Service Center at 3rd & Yesler. This service
center would provide laundry, showers, as well as other vital services
to help the homeless in Seattle.
Agenda Approved
Chair Report
Chair attended the Washington State Democrat Reorganization Meeting
in Olympia.
• Paul Berendt was re-elected to be the Washington State Chair.
• Howard Dean was nominated by the Washington State delegates
to be the National Chair. Announcements:
• Washington State Democratic Party is looking for a new technical
director.
• WSLC is introducing a bill on Heath Care Responsibility.
This would require all employers of 50 or more people to either
provide health benefits for them, or reimburse the state?s Basic
Health Plan for any benefits their employees receive from BHP.
• PCO Training in Olympia Monday, February 21, followed by
the annual Crab Feed.
• Special Guest: Chelsea Waliser, Working on Congressman Adam
Smith's re-election campaign.
• Adam Smith has been appointed to the Judiciary Committee
• Congressman Smith will be visiting the 34th District at a
future date.
LAC Committee Report
The LAC has written a letter to Senator Murray about her vote to
oppose the nomination of Condoleezza Rice. Reminder about Legislative
Day in Olympia on February 21. City
Council Member Jan Drago
• State of the Council (some highlights):
• Council members worked hard on issues concerning the monorail.
• Meetings were held all over the city to listen to constituencies
about their concerns regarding the monorail.
• Developed a Northgate Plan for the monorail.
• Appointed a new superintendent for Seattle City Light
• Added 3 new council members this year.
• Re-election speech
• Kerry Delegate
• Believes in the core issues for Democrats which are mass
transit and transportation issues.
• Co-chair of the monorail committee
• Wants to create jobs utilizing development of bio-tech industry.
• Would like this city to be friendly to both affluent as well
as low-income citizens.
City Council Member Nick Licata
• Re-election speech
• Sponsored legislation with SEIU to provide training and fair
wages for Security Guards.
• Doesn't support a tunnel as a viable option for replacing
the viaduct. Will cost $1.2B to fix viaduct as opposed to $2.5B
if we build a tunnel. Federal government will not fund this project;
the only way to raise the funds will be to raise property taxes
and/or sales tax.
Casey Corr running for Seattle City Council, Position 2
• Election Speech
• Wants to strengthen basic services such as police, libraries,
and public education.
• Cited his experience with working for Mayor Nickels.
• Believes he will be a stronger decision maker than the current
city council member in Position 2.
Dow Constantine - King County Council
Made quick announcement reminding 34th members about the redistricting
of the King County Council and that he will be running for re-election
this year.
New Business
• Two PCO's were approved: Michael Mann, Acting in SEA
34-1504 and Evelyn Norsen was appointed to SEA 34-1528.
• A bylaws amendment was approved that allows for non-registered
voters who are legal residents to be members of the 34th District
Democrats.
• An additional bylaws amendment was approved changing the
household membership from $25, to $15 plus $10 each additional member.
Adjourn 9:00 PM
|
