CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION supporting The City of Seattle’s proposal to be a host city for the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup.
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WHEREAS, The City of Seattle is one of 32 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada being considered by the United Bid Committee as a host city for the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup; and
WHEREAS, Seattle has had a soccer fan base that attracted large, enthusiastic crowds for professional matches since 1976, including when the Seattle Sounders broke Major League Soccer attendance records and merchandise sales in their first season in 2009; and
WHEREAS, more than 125,000 young people actively compete in soccer matches around Washington State; and
WHEREAS, the FIFA World Cup will provide Seattle with a unique opportunity to inspire new generations of soccer enthusiasts, while promoting Seattle’s commitment to recreation, sport, health, human rights, equality, and the environment; and
WHEREAS, the United States received an estimated $4 billion in economic benefits from hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and soccer fans bring significant additional revenue to World Cup host cities’ hotels, restaurants, shops, and tax coffers; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council share a common goal of promoting Seattle’s stature, diversity, and economic vitality, which will be enhanced by being a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 FIFA Confederations Cup, a major international tournament in its own right, will also be played in the host cities’ venues; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Host Committee will bring local leaders from government, community development associations, hospitality industry, international companies, global marketing campaigns, unions, and professional sports franchises together to ensure Seattle maximizes the cultural, social, and economic benefits of being a FIFA World Cup host city, while promoting FIFA’s goals of corporate and social responsibility and environmental awareness; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council share a common goal of ensuring that economic benefits and additional revenues generated by the 2026 World Cup will further the City’s goals of equity, social justice, and improving the lives of low-wage hospitality workers, construction workers, and workers and the community at large, through living wage jobs, adequate benefits, education, training, job protections, affordable housing, and anti-displacement programs; and
WHEREAS, FIFA will determine final host country(ies) for 2026 by June 2018 and, along with the United Bid Committee, will determine final host cities five years prior to the event; and
WHEREAS, the effectiveness of Seattle’s proposal will be enhanced by cooperation and information-sharing between the Seattle City Council and Mayor’s Office; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council continue to support the intent originally set forth in Resolution 30340, including the desire to provide information on major events so City staff can purposefully plan for associated fiscal impacts; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The City of Seattle (“Seattle”) shall continue its pursuit to be a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and market Seattle, and the United States, as an attractive host for an international soccer tournament.
Section 2. The City of Seattle shall continue to evaluate the proposal to be a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup using the requirements set forth in Resolution 30340. These requirements include an evaluation of the potential financial exposure to Seattle; agreements with event organizers for reimbursement of security or other costs; Seattle’s role; event costs; and educational, cultural, and economic benefits to Seattle.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2018, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)