Big Week Ahead at City Hall: Youth Violence, RV Community Development, Affordable Housing, Open Gov’t, Etc.

Weekly highlights for the week of March 16, 2009

The following is a brief description of the major issues your City Council plans to address this week. To view the most updated Council agendas go here.

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will take place in Seattle City Hall Council Chambers (600 4th Ave.).  The easiest access to the City Hall building is on 5th Avenue between Cherry and James Streets. Meetings and Public Forums in Council Chambers are also cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21 and webcast live here.

Mon., March 16

• The Council will receive its regular session update from state legislative representatives. The Council will also hear a status report on the New Solid Waste Services to take effect on March 30.
• Commercial and Neighborhood Commercial Zoning Clarifications (Planning, Land Use & Neighborhoods Committee) This ordinance clarifies development standards, provides new height limit exceptions, revises landscaping requirements, and consolidates and clarifies parking requirements and standards to support the continued success of Seattle’s urban villages and centers, and promote vibrant, pedestrian-oriented neighborhood commercial areas.

Tues., March 17

• Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (Public Safety, Human Services & Education Committee) Representatives from the Office for Education, Department of Finance and Seattle Police Department will brief the Committee on the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.
• Mandatory Fees for Patronizing a Prostitute (Public Safety, Human Services & Education Committee) The Committee will hear and possibly vote on an amendment to a city ordinance that would impose a $150 fee on persons convicted of, or entering into a non-conviction disposition for, patronizing a prostitute.  The fee will be used to pay for mandatory counseling programs for these offenders.

Wed., March 18

• Rainier Valley Community Development (Housing & Economic Development Committee) The Committee will hear a presentation from Rainier Valley Community Development Fund Executive Director Martina Guilfoil on the CDF’s 4 Year Strategic Plan to make Rainier Valley a welcoming, vibrant and diverse community.
• Southeast Seattle Affordable Housing Market (Housing & Economic Development Committee)  Representatives from the City’s Office of Housing and Office of Economic Development will lead a discussion on the affordable housing market in Southeast Seattle.
• Broadband Initiative Update (Energy & Technology Committee) Representatives from the Department of Information Technology and Seattle City Light will brief the Committee on the status of bringing a competitive fiber broadband network to the Seattle market.

Thur., March 19

• Meeting canceled.

Fri., March 20

• Public Records Act Amendment (Open Government – Special Committee) The Committee will discuss and possibly vote on amendments to a city ordinance that will require all departments to adopt rules explaining how they provide access to public records in a manner that is consistent with the Public Records Act. The committee will also discuss implementing provisions that will provide relief from certain record indexing requirements.
• Procedures & Policies Review (Open Government – Special Committee) The Committee will hear presentations from Legislative Department staff on Public Disclosure, Open Meeting, and Clean Hearings procedures and policies.

Source: Seattle City Council