Forwarded information:

Notice of City Council Public Hearings:

May 16 * Related to Light Rail Permitting
May 22 & 24  *  Related to Station Area Planning Recommendations


The City Council will hold several public hearings in May that relate to
Sound Transit's Link light rail project.  More information is provided in
this notice on each hearing.
-- The public hearing on Tuesday, May 16, at 9:30 a.m., will be on two
ordinances that relate to light rail permitting by the City of Seattle; and
-- The public hearings on Monday, May 22 and Wednesday, May 24, both at 6
p.m., will be on a resolution to approve concept-level station area
planning recommendations for the areas around Link light rail stations.

There is a lot of activity going on at the City of Seattle related to Sound
Transit's Link light rail project.  To keep the public informed, and to
describe the various topics and how they are inter-related, we're sending
this long notice.  You'll see separate sections below that address the
various light rail-related activities that are underway.


LIGHT RAIL PERMITTING

Background:  Sound Transit is designing and building Link light rail, the
first phase of which will extend from the City of SeaTac to N.E. 45th
Street in the City of Seattle.  Sound Transit and the City are working
together to obtain funding to extend the line to Northgate.  Sound Transit
will need to obtain permits from the City of Seattle to construct light
rail.  The overall purpose of the permitting system is for the City to
review Sound Transit's plans and designs to be sure they comply with all
City codes and regulations, and to be sure that adverse impacts identified
in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) have been addressed.  The City
can also impose conditions on the permits, to reduce impacts or address
other regulatory concerns.  After the City issues permits, it will monitor
Sound Transit's performance to be sure that Sound Transit is complying with
all permit conditions.

Sound Transit will need several different permits from the City because
some of the light rail line is within City street right-of-way (generally
Seattle Transportation's (SEATRAN's) purview for permitting), while some is
outside the right-of-way on private or other public property (generally the
Department of Design, Construction, and Land Use's (DCLU's) purview for
permitting).  Sound Transit will need different permits at different times
during its design and construction schedule, and permitting may be
different depending on whether the line is in a tunnel, at-grade, or elevated.

No system previously existed in Seattle for permitting this type of large
project.  Thus the City Council is working with several City departments to
develop a system for light rail permitting.  To put this system in place,
the Council is in the process of reviewing and taking action on several
pieces of legislation during the first half of 2000.  The first pieces of
legislation were approved by the City Council on April 10.  The next two
ordinances will be before the City Council in May and June.  The public
will have an opportunity to comment on these proposed ordinances as
described below.

Sound Transit has already begun applying to DCLU for actual permits under
already-approved code provisions, and applications to SEATRAN will follow
in late 2000.  See the contacts later in this notice under "Information
Available" to get information about the actual permit applications, and the
City's review of those applications.

Proposed Legislation:  Two proposed ordinances relate to light rail permitting:
		 · An ordinance that would amend the Land Use Code to establish the permit
process for permanent light rail facilities on private or public property
outside public right-of-way; and
· An ordinance that would allow SEATRAN to issue permits for permanent
light rail facilities within City street right-of-way.

Public Hearing:  The City Council's Transportation Committee, and
Landlord/Tenant and Land Use Committee, will hold joint meetings to
consider this proposed legislation, all in the City Council Chamber on the
11th floor of the Municipal Building at 600 Fourth Avenue in downtown
Seattle.  These two Council committees will hold a public hearing on these
two proposed ordinances on Tuesday, May 16, 2000 at 9:30 a.m.  The Council
committees' review and vote on this legislation is scheduled to take place
on June 6 or June 20.

The public hearing on May 16 at 9:30 a.m. will be held in the City Council
Chamber, 11th floor, Municipal Building, 600 Fourth Avenue. For those who
wish to testify, a sign-up sheet will be available outside the Council
Chamber one-half hour before the public hearing.  The City Council Chamber
is accessible.  Print and communications access is provided on prior
request.  Please contact Councilmember Judy Nicastro's office at 684-8806
as soon as possible to request accommodations for a disability.

Written Comments:  For those unable to attend the public hearing, comments
may be sent by May 16, 2000 to:  Councilmember Judy Nicastro, 1100
Municipal Building, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle,  WA  98104.

Information Available: The proposed Land Use Code ordinance is available
(and the proposed right-of-way ordinance will be available by about April
24) on-line at http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~public/leghome.htm, by
clicking "City Council Bills and Ordinances," and then entering C.B. 113168
for the Land Use Code ordinance, or entering "Light Rail Transit Way" as
title words to get the right-of-way ordinance.  Copies of the proposed
legislation are available at the City Council's offices on the 11th floor
of the Seattle Municipal Building, 600 Fourth Avenue; or from DCLU's Public
Resource Center, 710 Second Avenue, Suite 200 (Dexter Horton Building), in
downtown Seattle.  DCLU's Public Resource Center is open between 8 a.m. and
5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  On Tuesday, hours are 10
a.m. until 5 p.m.

Because there are many inter-related issues, a number of different staff
can provide information, depending on the specific issue.  Questions
concerning the proposed legislation may be directed to John Skelton of DCLU
(for the Land Use Code ordinance) at 233-3883 or via email
at:  john.skelton@..., or to Phil Harrison of SEATRAN (for the
right-of-way ordinance) at 684-5184 or via email
at:  phil.harrison@..., or to Martha Lester of the City
Council's Central Staff at 684-8149 or via email
at:  martha.lester@....

Questions concerning the public hearing on May 16 may be directed to Jill
Berkey in Councilmember Judy Nicastro's office, by calling 684-8806 or via
email at:  jill.berkey@....

Questions concerning DCLU's review of land use permit applications from
Sound Transit may be directed to John Shaw of DCLU at 684-5837 or via email
at:  john.shaw@....  There will be an opportunity for the
public to comment to DCLU on Sound Transit land use permit
applications.  To add your name to DCLU's mailing list to be notified of
land use permit applications and opportunities for public comment on these
applications, please contact John Shaw.

Questions related to SEATRAN's review of right-of-way permit applications,
or to the overall system of City permits for Sound Transit, may be directed
to Phil Harrison of SEATRAN at 684-5184 or via email
at:  phil.harrison@....


CONCEPT-LEVEL STATION AREA PLANNING RECOMMENDATIONS

Background:  Although Sound Transit will build and operate the light rail
system itself, including the stations, it is the City of Seattle that
regulates land use and owns the streets and sidewalks around the
stations.  To make light rail a success in Seattle, we need to plan
carefully for the areas around the light rail stations to encourage
transit-oriented development and to make access improvements to the light
rail stations.  Station Area Planning is a City of Seattle sponsored
program to encourage lively mixed use development, housing, open space, and
other community services within walking distance (approximately one-quarter
mile) of Seattle's light rail stations.  In December 1998, the City Council
adopted Resolution 29867, establishing city-wide goals and strategies to
promote transit-oriented development.

The City's Station Area Planning team has been at work for over a year, and
has held numerous public meetings and workshops in neighborhoods all along
the Link light rail line to ensure that the planning effort is responsive
to the goals and ideas suggested by community members.  "Station Area
Advisory Committees" were established for most light rail station
neighborhoods to allow interested individuals to guide the planning
work.  This work also built on the neighborhood plans that were developed
in the past five years and adopted by the City Council.

Public Hearings:  The Station Area Planning team has submitted to the City
Council a resolution that would approve concept-level station area planning
recommendations for each Link light rail station in Seattle.  The Council's
Neighborhoods, Sustainability, and Community Development Committee will
hold two public hearings on this resolution:
		 · Monday, May 22, at 6 p.m., at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515
S. Alaska Street; and
· Wednesday, May 24, at 6 p.m., in room 239 of Savery Hall on the
University of Washington campus.
The public hearings will begin with a half-hour presentation of the
concept-level station area planning recommendations.  The committee's
review and vote on this legislation is scheduled to take place in late June.

For those who wish to testify, a sign-up sheet will be available at each
public hearing one-half hour before the public hearing.  Both of these
locations are accessible.  Print and communications access is provided on
prior request.  Please contact Councilmember Richard Conlin's office at
684-8805 as soon as possible to request accommodations for a disability.

Written Comments:  For those unable to attend the public hearing, comments
may be sent by May 24, 2000 to:  Councilmember Richard Conlin, 1100
Municipal Building, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle,  WA  98104.

Information Available:  For general information about the City's station
area planning work, visit the website
at:  http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/planning/HomeSAP.htm.  The proposed
resolution and its attachments are available on-line at
http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~public/leghome.htm, by clicking "City
Council Resolutions," and then entering Resolution 30165.  Copies of the
proposed resolution are available at the City Council's offices on the 11th
floor of the Seattle Municipal Building, 600 Fourth Avenue; from the
Strategic Planning Office (SPO) on the 3rd floor of the Municipal Building;
or from DCLU's Public Resource Center, 710 Second Avenue, Suite 200 (Dexter
Horton Building), in downtown Seattle.  DCLU's Public Resource Center is
open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday.  On Tuesday, hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Questions concerning the proposed resolution may be directed to Jemae Pope
of SPO at 684-8674 or via email at:  jemae.pope@..., or to
Martha Lester of the City Council's Central Staff at 684-8149 or via email
at:  martha.lester@....

Questions concerning the public hearings on May 22 and 24 may be directed
to Tye Ferrell in Councilmember Richard Conlin's office, by calling
684-8805 or via email at:  tye.ferrell@....

OTHER UPCOMING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO LIGHT RAIL IN SEATTLE

Station Area Rezones and Land Use Code Amendments:  Along with the
concept-level station area planning recommendations described above, the
Station Area Planning team will also submit to the City Council recommended
rezones for some station areas, and Land Use Code amendments, both of which
will help implement the station area planning recommendations.  The current
schedule is that this legislation will be submitted to the Council about
May 2, for review by the Council's Landlord/Tenant and Land Use
Committee.  Public hearings will likely be held on June 12 and 13 (probably
one hearing in the Rainier Valley, and one hearing in the Capitol
Hill/First Hill neighborhood).  If these rezones and Land Use Code
amendments are finalized and approved by the Council and Mayor, they will
replace the Station Area Interim Overlay District that was established in
1999.  For information on the rezones, contact John Shaw of DCLU at
684-5837 or via email at:  john.shaw@....  For information on
the Land Use Code amendments, contact Mike Podowski of DCLU at 386-1988 or
via e-mail at:  mike.podowski@....  For information on the
review schedule, including specific dates, times, and places for the public
hearings, contact Esther Wilson of SPO at 684-8542 or via email
at:  esther.wilson@....

Noise Variance Application: Sound Transit has applied to DCLU for a
variance from the City's nighttime and weekend construction noise
restrictions along the light rail route from downtown Seattle to the
University District.  As part of its review process, DCLU will hold three
public hearings on the noise variance application:
		 · Monday, May 8, 7-9 p.m., in Room 1110 of Seattle Central Community
College, 1701 Broadway;
· Wednesday, May 10, 7-9 p.m., at University Lutheran Church, 1604 N.E.
50th Street; and
· Monday, May 15, 7-9 p.m., at Seward Elementary School, 2500 Franklin
Avenue E.
For information on DCLU's review of the noise variance application, contact
David George of DCLU at 684-7843 or via email
at:  david.george@....

General Information About Sound Transit:  Visit the Sound Transit website
at:  www.soundtransit.org.

Hi,

Two things:

I need project ideas for street improvements and maintenance for the
Cumulative Reserve Subfund and Neighborhood Street fund.

Some project that have been suggested so far are:

1. Repair sidewalk on 13th Ave E, between E John and Thomas
2. Resurface Federal Ave E
3. Add curb cuts to three corners of the intersection of E Denny Way
and Melrose Ave E.
4. Add curb bulbs to the intersection of E Howell and 15th Av E
5. Add a stop sign at the intersection of Belmont Av E and Lakeview,
for left turning traffic from Lakeview onto the overpass.

Send in your project ideas!

Also, we could use some assistance with filling out the applications
and doing site reviews -- its fun to take a walk around the
neighborhood and see what needs fixing and we do get results from our
proposals. I'd like to have a group gather on Saturday 4/29 at 10am.
Contact me at ann@... if you are interested in helping out.

I was able to obtain a copy of the application in Word format if
anyone would like to fill one out on their own. Let me know.

Ann

Light Rail Station Area Planning Forum
First Hill/Capitol Hill
Monday, April 24, 6-9pm
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Rm 1110
http://www.cityofseattle.net/planning/homesap.htm

The Light Rail Station Area Planning team invites you to attend our
upcoming April 24th Public Forum to report our work to the Capitol
Hill /First Hill community.

We will discuss potential rezones in the Capitol Hill station area.
Both Capitol Hill and First Hill provide opportunities for increased
density.  We are currently engaged in zoning and feasibility analysis
for lower Broadway. For more information contact:

David Goldberg, Station Area Planner (206) 684-8414
email - davidw.goldberg@...

Cultural Aspects of City Hall and the Civic Plaza
Art Integrated into the Life of the Design
April 21, 2000
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Dome Room, Arctic Bldg. - 3rd Avenue and Cherry Street

The April 21 workshop is the third in a series of four to invite the public
to discuss different aspects of Civic Center design.  This workshop, to
identify cultural aspects of design and programming for both City Hall and
the Civic Plaza, will be led by Beliz Brother, lead artist for City Hall and
the Civic Plaza.  In formulating her cultural plan for the Civic Center
project, Brother wants to be sure to consider the full range of Seattle's
cultural life - from visual art displays to poetry readings to presentations
of dance pieces - and how it can find a place in the civic heart of our
city.  Come prepared for creative brainstorming.  Attendees are encouraged
to bring bag lunches to each event.  For more information, call
(206)233-3905.

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Capitol Hill Transportation Committee Meeting

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2000
Time: 7:00PM - 8:30PM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Interested in transportation issues? Come to the April
Transportation Committee meeting to get involved.

Thursday, April 20, 7-8:30pm
Capitol Hill Neighborhood Service Center
501-19th Ave E (684-4301)

Agenda items include:

* Light rail update -- find out what's going on with Sound
Transit and the Capitol Hill Station

* Neighborhood Street Fund and Cumulative Fund Application Time
-- the City has merged two funding programs together and we're
going to suggest street maintenance and improvement projects for
Capitol Hill. Come with your suggested project ideas.

* Other transportation items: find out what's happening with the
Monorail, neighborhood planning and more.

Vist the Capitol Hill Transportation Committee web site:

http://www.wolfenet.com/~ann/transport/

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
Combined Neighborhood Street Fund and Cumulative Reserve Subfund
Process

At this Thursday's Transportation Committee meeting we will be
proposing projects to be funded through the Combined Neighborhood
Street Fund and Cumulative Reserve Subfund.  This funding opportunity
is for projects that repair or restore existing facilities, or for
citywide transportation improvements.

Past projects we have been able to fund through the Neighborhood
Street Fund include:

1) 12th Ave E and E Thomas Street Intersection Improvement
Curb bulbs were installed, with small garden areas, to assist
pedestrian visibility at this intersection. All four corners of the
intersection have been funded through the 1998 and 1999-2000 Street
Fund Process; the curb bulbs on the West side of the street will be
completed at the end of the Summer/beginning of Fall 2000.

2) Melrose Ave E and E Denny Way Intersection Improvement
A traffic light was installed at the intersection, with pedestrian
walk phase in 1998.

Also, the Capitol Hill Transportation Committee has been able to use
this process to make sure that SEATRAN (the Seattle Transportation
Department) will have a running list of street improvements for our
area. Our project suggestions are frequently implemented outside of
the Neighborhood Street Fund process as part of general City
maintenance and improvements. A summary of the projects ranked by the
East District Council in 1998 can be viewed here:
http://www.onelist.com/database/capitolhillnews

The criteria used for project selection includes:

1) Significant Impact -- the project will have a large positive
impact on the neighborhood

2) Broad Support -- the project has the support of multiple
Neighborhood Plan Stewards and/or District Council members

3) Leveraging Opportunities €  '¶ the project can leverage other
dollars

4) Cost/Equity €  '¶ the project is not so expensive as to limit
other
investments citywide.

Project ideas include: curb bulbs, traffic circles, chicanes,
installing and repairing sidewalks, rehabilitation of streets and
parks. Projects that make only cosmetic changes (such as murals) are
not eligible. Priority will also be given to projects that improve
safety

Please send your project ideas (including location and suggested
improvements, reason is it should be funded €  '¶ such as safety
concerns), name, phone number to ann@... by Thursday, April
20 at 3pm and the Transportation Committee will review the projects.
If you would like to submit a project on your own, please contact
Anne Fiske Zuniga at the Department of Neighborhoods for a copy of
the application at 684-5572.

Applications are due to the Department of Neighborhood by Monday May
8th.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 15:11:13 -0700
From: "Janet F. Johnston" <janetj@...>
Subject: jet noise- the final sprint

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We need you now.  Jet noise is a big problem.  Constant fly-overs disrupt our
sleep and interrupt our conversations.  Area schools suffer as jet noise takes
away from learning time.   The Port of Seattle has decided to put flight tracks
on a fast track. All decisions will be made in the next 2 months that will
decide the jet noise policy in your neighborhood for the next 10 years. The Port
of Seattle is subjecting your neighborhood to as many as 220 flights per day. 
There are solutions that will greatly reduce the jet noise in your home and
neighborhood.  The Port of Seattle and the FAA need to act now.

The Timing is Urgent

On April 26th an Advisory Committee to the Port of Seattle is meeting to decide
the fate of your neighborhood.  Join Citizens for Airplane Noise Equity (CANE)
in getting the Port to adopt a comprehensive pagkage that will divert flights
to:  The Duwamish Industrial Area-this solution will divert planes to
non-residential neighborhoods and The Split Turn that would reduce jet noise in
the hardest hit neighborhoods by as much as 55%.  With the comprehensive package
our neighborhoods will still be the hardest hit by jet noise but we will be
provided with significant relief.

Attend the CAC Meeting:  April 26,  00 at 6:00 PM at Sea-Tac auditorium, located
upstairs behind the Continental Airlines check-in counter.  Parking is
validated.  They will have more room at this meeting to accomodate the crowds
but I suggest that you come early.   Look for the yellow and black signs that
say "Do the Duwamish Split the Rest".  We will have signs and buttons for
everyone.  Bring a friend.

We will have two campaign busses with pickups at 4:45:  1.  Central Area,
Leschi, Madrona and Madison Park:  bus will load in downtown Madrona on 34th in
front of the Madrona playfield.  There is street parking and a lot on 34th
between Spring and Union.  2.  Beacon Hill:  bus will load at the Jefferson
Community Center, 3801 Beacon Avenue South.  Parking is available.  We will try
and have extra cars at the busses in case they are full.  If full, please
carpool with other neighbors.

Workshop for the April 26th Meeting:  Wednesday, April 19, 2000, 7:30 PM at the
Central Area Senior Center.  The Senior Center is at 500 30th St. South.  King
is the cross street. Drop by for Pizza and pick up a campaign sign for your yard
and flyers to take to your neighbors.  We will be making signs representing our
12 diverse neighborhoods and preparing for the meeting.

Other important dates to put on your calender:

May 9th- Staff Recommendations to POS Commission- details to be announced.  This
will probably be at the regular Commission meeting in the afternoon.
May 18th- Special Commission Public Hearing on flight tracks- details to be
announced.
June 13th- Final Commission Recommendations on flight tracks- details to be
announced.  This will probably be at regular Commission meeting in the
afternoon.

This is a once in a decade opportunity!  Join us on the 26th for the next step
in our final sprint.

Best regards,

Janet Johnston

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.

Capitol Hill Transportation Committee Meeting

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2000
Time: 7:00PM - 8:30PM PDT (GMT-07:00)

Interested in transportation issues? Come to the April
Transportation Committee meeting to get involved.

Thursday, April 20, 7-8:30pm
Capitol Hill Neighborhood Service Center
501-19th Ave E (684-4301)

Agenda items include:

* Light rail update -- find out what's going on with Sound
Transit and the Capitol Hill Station

* Neighborhood Street Fund and Cumulative Fund Application Time
-- the City has merged two funding programs together and we're
going to suggest street maintenance and improvement projects for
Capitol Hill. Come with your suggested project ideas.

* Other transportation items: find out what's happening with the
Monorail, neighborhood planning and more.

Vist the Capitol Hill Transportation Committee web site:

http://www.wolfenet.com/~ann/transport/

Sound Transit Application for Noise Variance
http://www.cityofseattle.net/dclu/news/transitnoise.htm

The Seattle Department of Design, Construction and Land Use (DCLU) has
received an application from Sound Transit for a technical variance from
the standards for nighttime construction noise along the north segment of
the light rail line. The segment of the light rail system covered by the
application runs from the Convention Center station to NE 45th Street east
of I-5. This application proposes specific new construction noise limits
for six work sites along the north segment.

Section 25.08.640 of the Seattle Noise Ordinance provides for technical
variances from noise standards when there is no practical means known or
available for the adequate prevention, abatement or control of the noise
involved. As a condition of granting the variance, DCLU may require
mitigation measures.

Public Meetings
Three public meetings have been scheduled to hear oral comments on this
application.

May 8, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Rm. 1110

May 10, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
University Lutheran Church
1604 NE 50th Street

May 15, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Seward Elementary School
Cafeteria, 2500 Franklin Avenue East

Contact information:
Written comments may be submitted at any time prior to May 19th.
For copies of the variance application and further information, contact
David George, 206-684-7843.

Please mail comments to:
DCLU
710 2nd Ave Ste. 200
98104-1703 Attn. David George
or
e-mail: david.george@...

Capitol Hill Community Council Meeting - April 13

Housing
What's the cost?
What's the plan?
What are our needs?

Please join us for a informative discussion about housing and
planning work on Capitol Hill. Our guest speakers include:

Chuck Weinstock from Capitol Hill Housing Improvement Program (CHHIP)
giving us an update on what work is being done on local affordable
housing through CHHIP.

Darlene Flynn, the City of Seattle Sector Manager for the Capitol
Hill Neighborhood Plan will be available to answer questions about
the City process and projects in works.

David Goldberg from the Strategic Planning Office will give an update
on Station Area Planning.

Thursday, April 13th
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Seattle Central Community College
Room 1110

For more information, please contact the Community Council c/o the
Neighborhood Service (206) 684-4574 or send email to ann@...

(forwarded info)

Urban Politics #86 with Council Member Nick Licata, 4/6/00


Urban Politics (UP) blends my insights and information on current
public
policy developments with the intent of helping citizens shape
Seattle's
future.


Instructions on subscribing or unsubscribing to the Urban Politics
mailing
list are at the bottom of the UP.


PROPOSED IMPOUNDMENT ORDINANCE CHANGE
***
COUNCIL MEMBER  &  MAYOR  E-MAILS
SUBSCRIPTION INSTRUCTIONS



HISTORY


In 1982 the City Council enacted into law Ordinance 119180 or
Operation
Impound.  Operation Impound provides for the towing of the cars
driven by
people with a suspended license as well as drivers of vehicles with
more than
four parking tickets. Operation Impound was passed in 1998 to improve
road
safety and reduce the rate of jail bookings for driving while license
suspended (DWLS).


One of the main proponents for Ordinance 119180 is City Attorney Mark
Sidran.
He has relied on California and Ohio studies that show that impound
programs
significantly improve road safety.  These studies are the foundation
for
Operation Impound.


REVIEW OF PAST STUDIES


Since Operation Impound was enacted we have found that the Ohio study
often
sited by the proponents of Seattle's law only evaluated the results
of
impounding the cars driven by people with licenses suspend for drunk
driving.
  It certainly is common sense that impounding the cars of people who
are
driving with licenses suspended for drunk driving would make the
roads safer,
but Seattle's law impounds the vehicles of people who have suspended
licenses
for non-payment of moving violations.  There are no studies that show
that a
person who has failed to pay a ticket for a broken taillight is more
likely
to get in an accident.


Similarly, the California study is a comparison of apples and
oranges.
California state statute mandates time payment programs for drivers
who can
not afford to pay their tickets and California state law requires
that courts
adjust traffic fines to a drivers income.  Consequently in California
a very
small percentage of drivers have suspended licenses due to unpaid
tickets as
compared to this state.  The cars being impounded in California do
not belong
to people who are driving with suspended licenses due to unpaid
tickets, but
are people who have their licenses suspended because they have
committed
offenses such as DWI, DUI, reckless driving, and hit and run.   In
short, the
conclusions that we can reach by studying the effect of the
California and
Ohio laws on road safety simply do not apply to Seattle because
Seattle's
Operation Impound scoops up the cars of drivers who are simply not
dangerous,
unlike the Ohio and California laws.




OBJECTIVES OF IMPOUNDMENT ORDINANCE


One of the primary purposes of Operation Impound is to reduce the
driving
while license suspended jail bookings and caseloads.  The City
Attorney
points out that DWLS jail filings are down 26.5% as compared to
before
Operation Impound was instituted.  This point fails to recognize that
jail
filings are down for all categories of misdemeanors - 25% for the
same period
of time.  One can not conclude that the reduction in DWLS jail
filings are a
result of Operation Impound when jail filings for all misdemeanor
crimes are
down.


Proponents of Operation Impound say that it is much better to jail
cars than
people, but they fail to acknowledge that in 1998 DWLS accounted for
20% of
all misdemeanor jail bookings and in 1999 DWLS still represented 19%
of all
jail bookings.  The enabling state statute requires a municipality to
charge
with DWLS in order to impound someone's car.  Although the
requirement to
charge with DWLS is mandatory, the decision to prosecute is
discretionary.
In 90% of those cases the City Attorney pursues those charges as well
as
impounding vehicles.  In other words, in 90% of the cases we are BOTH
locking
up people's cars AND pursuing traditional prosecution of DWLS.  As a
matter
of fact, a March 16 Municipal Court ruling has found that the City
does not
have the authority to impound the vehicles of people driving with a
suspended
license unless that person is also arrested. Operation Impound does
not and
can not serve as a diversionary program to traditional law
enforcement as its
proponents claim.


A similar claim is that Operation Impound is responsible for the
reduction in
Municipal Court case load.  We can find no correlation between
Operation
Impound and the Municipal Court caseload.  Although Municipal Court
caseloads
overall fell 10% between 1998 and 1999 and DWLS caseloads fell 15%
for the
same period of time, the higher DWLS caseload reduction should be
attributed
to relicensing programs that have been established independently from
Operation Impound.


An analysis of the impact of Operation Impound seriously brings into
question
whether we are accomplishing the goals of increased road safety and
reduction
of jail bookings and case loads.  Not only am I forced to question
the basis
upon which this program was passed but I am compelled to take a hard
look at
the consequences of this program for Seattle's residents.



PROPOSED CHANGE


I have been working with the Drive to Survive Committee to make
changes to
the Operation Impound Program.  The Drive to Survive Committee has at
its
members the Central Area Motivation Project (CAMP), the Labor and
Employment
Law Office (LELOS), and the Office of the Public Defender.  The Drive
to
Survive Committee agrees that  there is no dispute that there is a
statewide
crisis of suspended license driving.   Yet they go on to say that
"this is
because for years the courts have not offered reasonable payment
options to
low income drivers.   Is it fair, or good public policy, to threaten
these
drivers with impoundment - they've already lost their license, been
arrested,
prosecuted and in some cases done jail time - when their only crime
is being
too poor to immediately pay huge fines for minor traffic violations?"


Council Member Richard McIver and I have a proposal before
Councilmember Jim
Compton's Public Safety and Technology Committee to amend the
Operation
Impound program.  I believe that we should continue to impound the
cars of
people who are driving with license suspended in degree 1 and 2.
This
population of drivers are dangerous drivers who should have an
enforced "time
out" for driving.  They should have their cars impounded because they
are
driving when the state has declared them dangerous drivers.  We
should not
impound the vehicles of people who are driving with license suspended
in
degree 3 -- people who have their license suspended because they
haven't paid
a ticket.  My proposal suspends the City's ability to impound the
vehicles of
people driving with a suspended license in the third degree while
continuing
to permit the impounding of vehicles of drivers DWLS in the 1st and
2nd
degree and vehicles belonging to people with four or more parking
tickets.



PUBLIC HEARING


Today, Thursday, April 6, at 5:30 PM Council Member Jim Compton will
be
sponsoring a City Council Forum on Operation Impound.  The Panelists
are City
Attorney Mark Sidran, Yolande Williams from the Seattle Municipal
Court,
Hayward Evans of CAMP and Lisa Daugaard of the Office of the Public
Defender.
  The panel discussion is from 5:30PM until 6:15 PM with public
testimony from
6:15 until 8PM.




COUNCIL MEMBER  & MAYOR  E-MAILS


Heidi.Wills@...
Richard.McIver@...
Jan.Drago@...
Judy.Nicastro@...
Margaret.Pageler@...
Jim.Compton@...
Peter.Steinbrueck@...
Richard.Conlin@...
Nick.Licata@...


Mayors.office@...


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PRO PARKS 2000 RECOMMENDATIONS


The Pro Parks 2000 Citizen Committee's preliminary proposal for
funding
Seattle neighborhood park, recreation and open space projects will be
presented at six workshops (the first was tonight).


6 PUBLIC WORKSHOPS


Monday, April 3
Bitter Lake Community Center, 13035 Linden N., 6:30-8:30 p.m.


Tuesday, April 4
100 Dexter Ave. N., 11 a.m.-1 p.m.


Wednesday, April 5
Hiawatha Community Center, 2700 California SW, 6:30-8:30 p.m.


Wednesday April 12
Jefferson Community Center, 3801 Beacon Ave. S., 7-9 p.m.


Thursday, April 13
Meadowbrook Community Center, 10515 - 35th NE, 6:30-8:30 p.m.


Saturday, April 15
Miller Community Center, 330 - 19th Ave. E., 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.


BACKGROUND


The Mayor and the Seattle City Council asked the Pro Parks 2000
Citizen
Committee to identify a funding mechanism and recommend a fair
allocation of
dollars for park projects with an emphasis on implementing park
elements of
neighborhood plans. Other projects identified through the Parks
COMPLAN
(comprehensive plan) and various park master plans were also
considered. The
committee has met at least twice monthly for the past eight months,
and is
now presenting its draft recommendations.


The committee is likely to recommend a funding measure for the
November
ballot that would help finance neighborhood and community park
projects, open
space acquisitions, athletic field development, and increased
maintenance and
operational support for new and existing parks and recreation
facilities,
including the Woodland Park Zoo.


WORKSHOP INFORMATION


Join Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Department of Neighborhoods,
and the
Pro Parks 2000 Committee to tell them what you think, review the
draft
recommendations and make comments. The workshops will be "open house"
in
format with tables for various subjects where you can learn about the
overall
process and the committee's funding proposals, ask questions and
provide
feedback. The proposals fall into the general categories of
neighborhood
parks, athletic fields, open space, boulevards and trails, and
maintenance,
programming and operation.


Tentative workshop agenda: 1st half-hour: Open house
2nd half-hour: Overview presentation, plus Q & A


2nd hour: Continue open house


If you cannot make the workshop in your neighborhood, feel free to
attend any
of the other five meetings. The presentations and information will be
essentially the same at all meetings. You may also make written
comments to
David Takami, Public Information Specialist, Seattle Parks and
Recreation,
100 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109 or
david.takami@....


For more information, please call David at 206-684-8020 or consult
the web
site at
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/communitynotices/PROPARKS.htm

Two articles from this week's papers regarding the Sound Transit
light rail project. If anyone would like additional information about
what is happening with light rail planning on Capitol Hill, please
contact me at: ann@...



Group set to withdraw rail support
[Friday, March 31, 2000, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER]

The Downtown Seattle Association board said yesterday it is
withdrawing its support of Sound Transit's light rail plans unless
certain conditions are met -- one of them being enough money to
extend the line to Northgate.

http://www.postintelligencer.com/local/rta31.shtml



Lack of money may put crimp in the Link light rail extension
[Tuesday, March 28, 2000, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER]

"Neither the University of Washington nor Sound Transit wants the
Link light rail system to terminate at Northeast 45th Street, but
there's no guarantee the money is going to be available very soon to
extend the line to Northgate."

http://www.seattlep-i.com/local/rta28.shtml

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2000

Capitol Hill Fire Flow Upgrade
Community Meeting April 10


         Neighbors and interested citizens are invited to attend
Seattle Public Utilities' (SPU) presentation of the upcoming Capitol
Hill Fire Flow Upgrade Project at Seattle Central Community College,
1701 Broadway, in Room 3209 at 7 p.m., Monday, April 10.


The project will replace the existing water mains on the following
streets with larger pipes to meet the current Seattle Fire Department
standards for residential, business and hospital area needs:


·   East Denny Way from Broadway to 16th Avenue East
·   15th Avenues East from East Denny Way to East Thomas Street
·   16th Avenue East from East Denny Way to East John Street.


         Construction is scheduled to start around June 1, 2000 and is
expected to last four to five months.  Brief interruptions in water
services will be necessary to connect customers to temporary water
lines, and to the new water mains.  Parking and traffic will also be
restricted on East Denny Way, 15th Avenue East, and 16th Avenue East
during construction.  A connection will also be made to the water
main beneath East Nagle Place, impacting that street for about 50
feet south of East Denny Way.


For more information about the project, please contact project
manager John Pappas at (206) 684-5905, or by e-mail at
john.papanastasiou@....

         In addition to providing essential sewer services, Seattle
Public Utilities also provides drainage, solid waste and engineering
services for the City's infrastructure. SPU also provides more than
1.3 million customers in the Seattle metropolitan area with a
reliable water supply and protects, conserves and enhances the
region's environmental resources.

(forwarded information, confirmed by Nicastro's office)

From: Angela Ford
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 9:30 PM
Subject: Time to Act!


Dear Friends,

City of Seattle Councilmember Judy Nicastro has just indicated that
she is very seriously considering voting against the issuance of City
of Seattle permits to Sound Transit at the upcoming City Council vote
on April 4th.  If she does she would be the first political person to
step forward and speak the truth about Sound Transit's currently
proposed alignment.  (A WPPS on Wheels, say many)

As an active member of Save Our Valley, I - and so many others! -
have worked hard and long to raise the issues and concerns about
Sound Transit's alignment through the Rainier Valley.  Others have
worked to raise issues about other portions of the alignment.  But
until now, no politician has been willing to come forward.

Judy's willingness to speak truth in this day and age, is a bold act.
  I have a lot of respect for her willingness to take a stand.  Until
now, no one else has.  So, now is the time for all of us who share
concerns about parts or all of Sound Transit's fatally flawed
alignment, to rally around Judy and give her the support she could
use and deserves.

I'm sure she is going to be subjected to a lot of political pressure
to back off - because of the need for ST to present a "united front"
to the feds, etc.    So, next week let's blitz her office with
support.  We have until Tuesday, April 4th. The more people that
contact her and support her decision, the better.  Spread the Word!
TEL: 684-8806 Email: judy.nicastro@...

Thanks!
Angela (Ford)
723-3827  Emailto: /aford@...

PS:  Calls or emails to Nick Licata (684-8803 nick
.licata@...) and Peter Steinbrueck (684-8804
peter.steinbrueck@...) would be good too.  It would be
great if Judy had a little company!

The Capitol Hill Community Council Transportation Committee web site
was updated this week. Take a look.

http://www.wolfenet.com/~ann/transport/

Members of the P4 panel will receive a briefing on the South Lake
Union Redevelopment project this Friday, March 31st from 12-1:30 in
Muni 221 (2nd floor, Municipal Bldg., 600 4th Ave.)


This will be the first step in the Panel's review of the SLU project.
A subgroup of 5 Panelists has self-selected to review this project.
The briefing will be presented by members of the Interdepartmental
Team putting the project together, and P4 Panelists will ask
questions and make initial comments on the City's work to date.


The SLU project involves acquisition of the Naval Reserve property
and the development of South Lake Union Park, transportation
improvements in the Mercer/Valley corridor and the use and
redevelopment of City properties in this area.


See the project's website for more information.
http://cityofseattle.net/seattle/esd/slu/slu.htm

Capital Hill Fire Flow Project

The project, which is scheduled to start June 15 and last through
November 15, will replace 2- and 6-inch water mains with 12- and
16-inch mains on the following streets:

· E Denny Way from Broadway to 16th Avenue E,
· 15th Avenues East from East Denny Way to East Thomas Street,
· 16th Avenue East from East Denny Way to East John Street.

Parking will be restricted on these streets to allow for one lane of
traffic.  Brief water shut offs will also be necessary to transfer
customers to temporary water mains, and agin to the new mains.

A community meeting will be held on Monday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at
Seattle Central Community College Room 3209.

For more information contact: Alexis.Coronetz@...

Here is the contact information for the Seattle Displacement
Coalition, the author of the Seattle Housing Board message. Please
contact them if you would like to support their action:

Seattle Displacement Coalition
<jvf4119@...>
http://members.theglobe.com/sdc98105/

I try to forward information that it useful and helps community
members to be involved with local issues. There was some concern
about the tenor of the housing message, but I was not the author I
was merely forwarding the information. Not as Capitol Hill Community
Council President, but as someone who has been working to keep people
informed on an ongoing basis.

This list is to keep people informed about issues that aren't
necessarily covered by local media, along with information about
action items that people can get involved with.

There is always a risk when you are an editor or moderator -- what do
I want people to know about versus what do people need to know about.

I do encourage people to send feedback to me about the information I
forward to you, I do read your messages. In addition to sending me
your feedback, if there are items that you would like to discuss
publically, I encourage you to sign up for the discussion list called
simple [capitolhill] (capitolhill-subscribe@onelist.com)

Best,

Ann

Last Thursday new officers were elected for the Capitol Hill
Community Council. The new officers are:

Ann Donovan, President
Doug Solowan, Co-Vice President
Marshall Balick, Co-Vice President
Illeny Maaza, Secretary
Rich Lang, Treasurer

It's a great bunch of old and new council members -- we look forward
to a good year.

[forwarded from the Seattle Displacement Coalition mailing list]


Dear Supporter,
---------   WE NEED YOUR HELP TODAY!!! ------------

We need your name on the following letter protesting a precipitous
vote next Wednesday in the Council's Housing Committee that affects
the future of public housing in our city (vote scheduled for 9:15 in
Council Chambers Wed. Mar 22nd). E-mail me back by Friday Noon and let
me know if we can add you?

We have just learned that the Mayor (and possibly Steinbrueck) have
totally ignored the community, proposing an appointment to fill a
vacancy on the SHA board without first obtaining any input at all
from the community. Please read the summary of what's up below
and let me know via e-mail if we can add your name to the following
letter.  It will be forwarded on Friday afternoon to the press and
all City Councilmembers. E-mail me back and let me know if I can add
your name and help us make a difference!  (with your permission I
will just type your name in) and if we can attach an organizational
affiliation for ID purposes let me know that too.  Obviously, I will
only add your name and any affiliation with your explicit permission.

Headline:

Mayor seeks to ram through SHA crony for vacancy on SHA Board -
Steinbrueck may have collaborated with him on this hasty selection
which jeopardizes future of very low income public housing stock!

Details:
--------------------  WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!!!!  --------------------

We have just learned that next week, there is a scheduled vote in the
City Council's Housing Committee (Wed. March 22nd, (9:00 AM) in the
Council Chambers on the appointment of David Bley to fill a vacancy
on the board of the Seattle Housing Authority.  Bley is a director on
the Federal Home Loan Bank and for many years has been a close
associate of Harry Thomas who is the director of SHA (Harry Thomas at
one point served and may still be serving as a boardmember of the
Federal Home Loan Bank - which would mean that Thomas is Bley's boss
at the bank while Bley would be Thomas's boss at SHA).  Bley formerly
is a deputy under Mayor Rice when Rice pushed through the City's
anti-homeless laws and worked to block legislation aimed at
preserving the existing stock of low income housing. When Mayor Rice
recommended
removal of city requirements that developers pay relocation to
tenants who they displace, Bley did the Mayor's dirty work - calling
out the police to arrest activists who engaged in a sit-in in the
lobby of the Mayor office to protest the Mayor's action. Bley also
wrote strong letters of support and lobbied HUD in support of the HUD
HOPE VI grants for Holly Park and Rainier Vista that will cause the
loss of hundreds of public housing units in our city. Needless to
say, we do not believe this is a proper appointment to the SHA board.
  But worse, so far, neither the Mayor or Councilmember Steinbrueck
have done anything to solicit input or seek nominees from the
community before voting on this appointment.  We fought for
legislation in Olympia two years ago, which gave the Council
authority over all future SHA appointments. We did this to ensure
that the community had a real chance to secure appointment of people
accountable to the goal of saving and expanding public housing.  To
appoint Bley with no community participation - not even a chance for
comment - would break faith with Seattle citizens and it jeopardizes
the future of public housing in our city.  WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!

Call or write or e-mail Councilmembers today.  And please let me know
that you can be a signatory of the following letter! (you would be
adding your name only to the letter which begins below - what's above
will not be included in the letter) Let me know by Friday noon.

The Letter:

The Coalition for Accountability at the Seattle Housing Authority
(CASHA)(labor, tenants, the homeless, and seniors working together to
hold the housing authority accountable)

March 15, 2000

To all members of the Seattle City Council

Regarding: Request for delay in City Council's Housing Committee vote
next week on the Mayor's recommendation of David Bley to fill a
vacancy on the board of the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA)

Dear Councilmember                   ,

As residents and representatives of various housing, homeless, labor,
and tenant organizations in Seattle, we are writing to voice our
strong concern and surprise over Councilmember Steinbrueck's planned
vote next Wednesday, March 22nd, in the Housing Committee on the
confirmation of David Bley to fill a current vacancy on the board of
the Seattle Housing Authority.  To date, no citizens, SHA residents,
or concerned community groups have been alerted or in any way invited
to comment on this critical board vacancy. We are calling on
Councilmember Steinbrueck and other members of the Council to delay
taking any action on this important appointment until several
necessary steps are taken to guarantee that citizens have real voice
in this process.

To date, citizens, tenants of SHA, and concerned housing, labor, and
senior groups have been given no opportunity to submit their own
recommendations for nominees to fill this vacancy nor have they been
given even an opportunity to review the appointee's credentials or
comment on his qualifications.  At a minimum, the Council should
delay taking any action on this appointment until such a process is
implemented, including the holding of a public hearing on this
appointment.  This is something that we strongly urge the City
Council to do in the Housing Committee, especially given the fact
that the Mayor did not implement such a process at his level.  The
City Council also has the option of remanding the Mayor's choice
back to his office for further consideration and until additional
nominees from the community can be submitted to him for his
consideration.

Two years ago, members of the Coalition for Accountability at SHA
(CASHA) went down to Olympia and secured passage of a new law giving
the Seattle City Council real authority overevery appointment to the
SHA board - where previously this responsibility was exclusively
the province of the Mayor. It was understood and articulated by
Councilmembers, including Mr. Steinbrueck, that this revision to the
process occurred so that citizens truly would have a greater
opportunity to submit their own nominees for consideration - people
who they thought could best reflect the needs of all the very low
income constituencies served by the Housing Authority.

If the City Council acts precipitously on the appointment of David
Bley this coming Wednesday in the Housing Committee, it will violate
a trust with the many citizens and tenants of SHA who worked long and
hard to secure passage of this legislation/ The citizens
of Seattle and affected tenants have been left completely out of the
process that so directly affects them and the future of over 10,000
subsidized housing units serving the poorest of the poor in our city.
  It is all that is left of this precious stock and we need
strong appointees for every vacancy on the board committed to
preserving this stock and who have the support of affected citizens.
The precipitous appointment of David Bley does not meet this test and
there has been no opportunity for the community to submit its own set
of recommendations.

Please delay this proposed appointment, set up a process for taking
community nominees, hold a public hearing, and then ask the Mayor to
consider the names which grow out of a proper process for filling SHA
vacancies.  Don't break faith with the community.

(see signatories below)

Sound Transit is funded by the sales tax increase approved by voters
when we passed the RTA, and by Federal funding as it is available.
Currently, there is no state funding for this new regional trasit
system. Read more about Sound Transit funding here:

"Paying for the system: RTA taxing and bonding authority"
(As adopted May 31, 1996)
http://www.soundtransit.org/soundmove/paying.html

"What I-695 means for Sound Transit" (December 1999)
http://www.soundtransit.org/News/I695-dec99.html

Sound Transit funding is currently an item for discussion in the
special Legislative session that was announced yesterday, that will
commence Friday 3/10.

The Sound Transit plan is contentious:

*  the Capitol Hill community fought against cut-and-cover cross-over
tracks on Broadway (between E John St. and E Thomas St.);

*  in the Rainier Valley, "Save Our Valley" views the ST plan to
implement surface tracks as "racist and classist";

*  re-appropriation of the downtown Seattle bus tunnel for light rail
use will actually increase the amount of bus traffic in downtown
Seattle...

But, the fact of the matter is that this region needs to do something
to help control our traffic problem, and the Sound Transit system
which voters approved is a first step.

Please contact your state representatives this weekend, and tell them
that you support or don't support funding for Sound Transit. Your
voice counts.
(You can find your representives online: http://dfind.leg.wa.gov/)

Invitation to the Central Seattle Community from the Seattle Public
Schools

Building Community: Help Us Create Tomorrow's Schools
Wednesday, March 15, 2000
7:00pm-9:00pm
Garfield High School Cafeteria
400-23rd Ave South

Hear what's new at Seattle Schools. Share your Ideas as we create a
Building Excellence plan. Discussion topics include:

* Capacity needs -- elementary, middle and high schools
* Educational program needs
* Technology updates
* Community use of schools
* What are the priorities?

Questions? Call Seattle Schools Customer Service at (206) 298-7010.

The board of the Elevated Transportation Company will hold its
regular monthly meeting this coming Monday, March 6, 6:30 PM. The
group will meet in the City Council chambers, located on the 11th
floor of the Municipal Building in Downtown Seattle.

Among the items to be discussed is the possibility of an inititative
campaign to the Seattle electorate, seeking specific voter approval
of public funding for the construction of a monorail system. In
addition, the ETC Council is expected to discuss its recent letter to
Mayor Schell and the City Council, to which there was no response
within the requested seven days. The Council may go into executive
session to discuss the possibility of taking legal action against the
City over its failure to provide funding to the ETC.

With the exception of a possible executive session at some point
during the meeting, it will otherwise be open to members of the
public and press.

For more information, contact Paul Elliott, ETC Executive
Administrator,  684-5711.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Thibaudeau, Sen. Pat" <THIBAUDE_PA@...>
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2000 9:02 PM
Subject: RE: [capitolhillnews] Car sharing Update

I read about the Flex Car  program in the newsletter.  I want to
congratulate everyone involved on a job well done.  It sounds like a great
program.

Senator Pat Thibaudeau
43rd Legislative District

Car sharing Update - March 2, 2000

The Flexcar car sharing team would like to update you on the current
status of car sharing in Seattle.  As many of you know, Flexcar is the
name of the program that is working with King County Metro in bringing
car sharing to the area.  We started the program in January and have
been very pleased by the response.  We have received over 200
applications and have currently about 160 members.  We have six
vehicles
located in the Capitol Hill community.  We have received positive
feedback from people who have used the program on the ease of making
reservations, the availability of the cars and the overall quality of
the project.

We have just added our sixth 2000 Honda Civic to our fleet.  We have
put
in the order for the pickup truck that we expect to have available by
April 1.  Our cars are located at Broadway and Mercer (near the
Safeway), Summit and E. John (behind the new Starbucks), 15th and
Harrison, 17th Ave. E. and E. Denny, and we have two at Seattle
Central
Community College.  We are currently scouting locations for the next
three vehicles for Capitol Hill/Pike Pine/ First Hill areas.

We have started to develop plans for expanding the program to the
Queen
Anne, Belltown, Denny Regrade neighborhoods.  We hope to have at least
four cars by May.

One of the most positive features of our program has been how easy it
is
to become a member.  It costs $25 for the application (we will do a
driving record and credit check) and once approved you are
automatically
in the Test Drive plan.  Most of our members start out here and try
the
system out.  After you try out the program you can upgrade to the
Bronze
level where the per trip cost savings are significant.  There are a
number of folks who have joined even though they do not live in the
Capitol Hill area.

OPEN HOUSE
We will have an open house Saturday, March 4th from 1:30 pm until 3:00
pm at Seattle Central Community College (Room 3114).  This will be an
opportunity to get questions answered, to suggest new features and to
learn more about car sharing.  If you would like more information,
please check out the Flexcar web site at www.flexcar.com , call
323-3539
or come by the open house.


Sincerely yours,

Ref Lindmark
Outreach Coordinator

Notice of City Council Public Hearing on
Permitting System for Light Rail Facilities and Uses

Background:  Sound Transit is designing and building Link light rail,
the first phase of which will extend from the City of SeaTac to N.E.
45th Street (and maybe to Northgate) in the City of Seattle.  Sound
Transit will need to obtain permits from the City of Seattle to
construct light rail.  The overall purpose of the permitting system
is for the City to review Sound Transit's plans and designs to be
sure they comply with all City codes and regulations, and to be sure
that adverse impacts identified in the Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) have been addressed.  The City can also impose conditions on
the permits that are issued, to reduce impacts or address other
regulatory concerns.  After the City issues permits, it can monitor
Sound Transit's performance to be sure that Sound Transit is
complying with all permit conditions.

Sound Transit will need several different permits from the City
because some of the light rail line is within City street
right-of-way (generally SEATRAN's purview for permitting), while some
is outside the right-of-way on private or other public property
(generally DCLU's purview for permitting).  Sound Transit will need
different permits at different times during its design and
construction schedule, and permitting may be different depending on
whether the line is in a tunnel, at-grade, or elevated.

No system currently exists in Seattle for permitting this type of
large construction project.  Thus the City Council is working with
several City departments to develop a system for light rail
permitting.  To put this system in place, the Council will review and
take action on several pieces of legislation in coming months.  The
public will have an opportunity to comment on each proposed
ordinance.  The public hearing described below is the first such
opportunity.

Also, starting in March, Sound Transit will apply to DCLU and to
SEATRAN for the actual permits.  See the contacts later in this
notice under "Information Available" to get information about the
actual permit applications, and the City's review of those
applications.

Preliminary Outline of Proposed Legislation:  The current plan is for
four (or perhaps five) pieces of legislation, listed below.  Items a.
and b. will be considered together by the Council in March and April,
while items c. and d. will follow a month or two later.  Because all
these items are not yet fully developed, the Council's approach may
change.
a. A resolution by which the City would officially approve the light
rail alignment, station locations, and maintenance base location that
were designated by the Sound Transit Board in November 1999.  The
ordinances that follow would refer to this resolution as one
requirement for issuing permits for light rail-related facilities and
uses.
b. An ordinance that would amend the Land Use Code to allow DCLU to
issue permits for temporary structures and uses associated with light
rail construction.
c. An ordinance that would amend the Land Use Code to allow DCLU to
issue permits for permanent light rail facilities on private or
public property outside public right-of-way.
d. An ordinance that would allow SEATRAN to issue permits for
permanent light rail facilities within City street right-of-way.
This action may be taken in multiple steps, first addressing the
portion of the light rail line from N.E. 45th Street to about Beacon
Hill, with a separate ordinance to follow later that would address
the southern portion of the line through the Rainier Valley.

Public Hearing:  The City Council's Transportation Committee, and
Landlord/Tenant and Land Use Committee, will hold joint meetings to
consider this proposed legislation, all in the City Council Chamber
on the 11th floor of the Municipal Building at 600 Fourth Avenue in
downtown Seattle.  The Council committees will hold a public hearing
on items a. and b. in the above list of proposed legislation on
Tuesday, March 21, 2000 at 9:30 a.m.  The Council committees' review
and vote on items a. and b. is scheduled to take place no later than
April 4, 2000.  (The Council committees' review of items c. and d. in
the above list of proposed legislation will occur later on a separate
schedule.)

The public hearing on March 21 will be held in the City Council
Chamber, 11th floor, Municipal Building, 600 Fourth Avenue. For those
who wish to testify, a sign-up sheet will be available outside the
Council Chamber one-half hour before the public hearing.  The City
Council Chamber is accessible.  Print and communications access is
provided on prior request.  Please contact Councilmember Judy
Nicastro's office at 684-8806 as soon as possible to request
accommodations for a disability.

Written Comments:  For those unable to attend the public hearing,
comments may be sent by March 21, 2000 to:  Councilmember Judy
Nicastro, 1100 Municipal Building, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle,  WA
98104.

Information Available:  The proposed ordinance to amend the Land Use
Code to allow DCLU to issue permits for temporary structures and uses
associated with light rail construction (item b. above) is available
on-line at http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~public/leghome.htm, by
clicking "City Council Bills and Ordinances," and then entering C.B.
113100.  The proposed resolution (item a. above) is available by
clicking "City Council Resolutions," and then entering Resolution
30128.  Copies of the proposed legislation are available at the City
Council's offices on the 11th floor of the Seattle Municipal
Building, 600 Fourth Avenue, or from DCLU's Public Resource Center,
710 Second Avenue, Suite 200 (Dexter Horton Building), in downtown
Seattle.  DCLU's Public Resource Center is open between 8 a.m. and 5
p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  On Tuesday hours are
10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Questions concerning the proposed ordinance or resolution may be
directed to John Skelton of DCLU at 233-3883 or via email at:
john.skelton@..., or to Martha Lester of the City
Council's Central Staff at 684-8149 or via email at:
martha.lester@....

Questions concerning the public hearing on March 21 may be directed
to Jill Berkey in Councilmember Judy Nicastro's office, by calling
684-8806 or via email at:  jill.berkey@....

Questions concerning DCLU's review of land use permit applications
from Sound Transit may be directed to John Shaw of DCLU at 684-5837
or via email at:  john.shaw@....  There will be an
opportunity for the public to comment to DCLU on Sound Transit land
use permit applications.  To add your name to DCLU's mailing list to
be notified of land use permit applications and the schedule for
public comment on these applications, please contact John Shaw.

Questions related to the overall system of City permits for Sound
Transit may be directed to Phil Harrison of SEATRAN at 684-5184 or
via email at:  phil.harrison@....

Other Upcoming Activities Related to Light Rail in Seattle

Station Area Planning:  The light rail stations in Seattle offer an
opportunity not just to build a transportation system, but to build
better communities around the stations.  Community members have been
extensively involved in preparing recommendations for station areas
over the past year.  The City is holding forums to show the specific
actions that the City proposes to fulfill the community's vision for
station areas.  The University District Station Area Planning Forum
will be held on Monday, March 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Savery Hall,
room 239, on the UW campus.  For information about Station Area
Planning and forum dates for other Seattle station areas, visit the
website at:  www.ci.seattle.wa.us/planning/homesap.htm.  The City
Council will review Station Area Planning recommendations, probably
starting in April 2000, and there will be opportunities for public
input.  Check the website periodically for updates.

Noise Variance Application:  In March, Sound Transit will apply to
DCLU for a variance from the City's nighttime and weekend
construction noise restrictions along the light rail route from
downtown Seattle to the University District.  For information on
DCLU's review schedule, including public hearings, contact David
George of DCLU at 684-7843 or via email at:  david
.george@....

General Information About Sound Transit:  Visit the website at:
www.soundtransit.org.

(R-permitting-notice.doc    MIL    3/2/00)

I accidentally deleted the link to this article in my last message,
here it is:

With withdrawal of grant, monorail expansion may be dead
[Saturday, February 19, 2000]
http://www.seattletimes.com/news/local/html98/mono_20000219.html
"Seattle Mayor Paul Schell and City Councilman Richard McIver may
have dealt the final blow to the Seattle Monorail expansion project."

Recently, I received communication from the Elevated Transportation
Company (ETC)explaining how Seattle City Council and Mayor Schell
were trying to derail the Monorail initiative.

The ETC approached Sound Transit for funding, which was tentatively
approved by the ST Finance Committee. Seattle City Councilmember
Richard McIver and Mayor Paul Schell, both Sound Transit
Boardmembers, requested the funding be withdrawn for the ETC.

Additionally, the City Council Transportation Committee did not meet
on this matter, and Council did not formally address the monorail
funding issue. Instead it appears they have decided on their own,
outside of the public forum for debate, that the monorail is not
worth discussing. As things stand, the mission for the Monorail will
fail by early summer.

Because the monorail initiate was voted through by Seattle's voters,
this appears to be a miscarriage of the public's intentions by our
elected officials. Additionally, ETC has found private partners
willing to invest if local government would commit to some financial
backing of the system. Our officials owe us at least some form of
public forum for debate.

From Initiate 41, explaining the financing of the monorail:

"ETC will seek private monies (without relinquishing control of the
Corporation) to carry out its goals or any part thereof. ETC may also
build and operate, or cause other transportation improvements that
will affect its principal train operation. ETC shall seek
non-government monies to carry out its purpose and goals before
turning to government sources. To this purpose, the City Council of
Seattle shall make funds available to the PDA either by issuing
Councilmanic Revenue Bonds or raising the City's Business and
Occupation Tax. The salaries of the City Council must be withheld if
this monetary support is not available within one year of the
effective date of this ordinance."

The next City Council Transportation Committee meeting is Tuesday,
March 7, 2000, 2:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building if you can attend;
or contact your representatives directly to make sure they know that
we know what they are up to (please read the associated articles for
more background, listed at the end of the message.)

COUNCIL MEMBER  & MAYOR  E-MAILS

Heidi.Wills@...
Richard.McIver@...
Jan.Drago@...
Judy.Nicastro@...
Margaret.Pageler@...
Jim.Compton@...
Peter.Steinbrueck@...
Richard.Conlin@...
Nick.Licata@...

Mayors.office@...


Related Articles/Links:
-------------------------
With withdrawal of grant, monorail expansion may be dead
[Saturday, February 19, 2000]
"Seattle Mayor Paul Schell and City Councilman Richard McIver may
have dealt the final blow to the Seattle Monorail expansion project."


Sound Transit panel OKs grants for Monorail, ferries
[Friday, February 18, 2000]
http://www.seattletimes.com/news/local/html98/tran_20000218.html

The Elevated Transportation Company web site:
http://www.elevated.org/

-----------------------------------------------
Ann Donovan
Capitol Hill Transportion Commitee