CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION granting conceptual approval to the Downtown Seattle Association to install, maintain, and operate interactive media kiosks in public places located in the Metropolitan Improvement District and in participating Business Improvement Areas.
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WHEREAS, Downtown Seattle Association (“DSA”) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit membership organization incorporated and registered to do business in Washington, whose geographic service area is the downtown area defined as the Metropolitan Improvement District (“MID”); and
WHEREAS, the DSA’s purpose is to promote, advance, and stimulate civic, business, commercial, and residential interests and general welfare in Downtown, and to encourage, promote, and stimulate change and advances for the general improvement and welfare of Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the DSA has engaged a third-party vendor IKE Smart City (“Vendor”) of interactive media kiosk (“Kiosks”) technology to provide static and digital commercial advertising and to also provide wayfinding, public service, and safety announcements; and
WHEREAS, the DSA maintains that Kiosks can be used in a variety of ways to enhance communication, commerce, entertainment, educational and civic affairs, and that their installation, deployment, and operation in Downtown and participating Business Improvement Areas (“BIAs”) across the City will provide benefits to the public; and
WHEREAS, the Kiosks will further the City’s interest in equity by providing free Wi-Fi hubs throughout Downtown and in participating BIAs benefiting those who may not be able to afford these services; and
WHEREAS, the Kiosks will also serve a public safety function by providing a 911 call function to allow the public to seek police, fire, and emergency medical help; and
WHEREAS, the DSA will contract with the Vendor for the Kiosks and the City agrees to have the Kiosks deployed on City rights-of-way within the Metropolitan Improvement District and participating BIA boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the City would like to provide opportunities for additional BIAs that have demonstrated interest in the Kiosks and attendant public benefits to apply for Kiosks in the future with new term permit legislation; and
WHEREAS, Article IV, Section 14 of the City Charter authorizes the City Council to approve uses in the right-of-way that would not otherwise conform to codes, including Chapters 15.12 and 23.55 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, in making a recommendation, the Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation (“Director”) considered the plans and application materials submitted by the DSA and Vendor and recommends that conceptual approval be granted;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The City Council finds that the Kiosks, as proposed by the DSA and Vendor, is in accordance with and in the public interest.
Section 2. As conditions for obtaining permission to construct the Kiosks, the DSA and Vendor shall:
(1) Provide engineering and utility plans for additional review and permitting by the Seattle Department of Transportation (“SDOT”) that the Director will circulate to other City departments and any public and private utilities affected by the installation of the Kiosks;
(2) Provide a surety bond, covenant agreement, and public liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured or self-insurance, as approved by the City’s Risk Manager;
(3) Pay all City permit and review fees;
(4) Obtain all other necessary permits;
(5) Maintain and inspect the Kiosks; and
(6) Remove the Kiosks and restore the right-of-way in as good condition for public use as existed prior to construction of the Kiosks and in at least as good condition in all respects as the abutting portions of the public place as required by SDOT right-of-way restoration standards upon expiration of the term permit, or at the direction of the Director or City Council in accordance with the provisions of the term permit ordinance.
Section 3. After this resolution is adopted, SDOT will present to the Council a draft term permit ordinance identifying the conditions under which permission may be granted for the use of the right-of-way for the Kiosks. Permission to use the right-of-way is subject to the Council’s decision to approve, deny, or modify the draft term permit ordinance presented by the Director.
Section 4. As recommended by the Director and the Mayor, conceptual approval for construction of the Kiosks, is GRANTED.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2025, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk
(Seal)