CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION _________________
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A RESOLUTION regarding a voter-proposed Initiative Measure establishing a public development authority (PDA) to build and operate a mile-long elevated park and other amenities along Seattle’s waterfront, integrating one block of the existing Alaskan Way Viaduct into the design of the elevated park; authorizing the City Clerk and the Executive Director of the Ethics and Elections Commission to take those actions necessary to enable the proposed Initiative to appear on the August 2, 2016 ballot and the local voters' pamphlet; requesting the King County Elections' Director to place the proposed initiative on the August 2, 2016 election ballot; and providing for the publication of such initiative.
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WHEREAS, the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and its replacement with a bored tunnel by the State of Washington, and the replacement of the Elliot Bay Seawall by The City of Seattle, present a historic opportunity for Seattle to transform Seattle’s Central Waterfront; and
WHEREAS, in 2003 the City began a public process for developing a community vision for the Central Waterfront to reconnect Seattle to its waterfront, in conjunction with the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and replacement of the aging Elliott Bay Seawall; and
WHEREAS, the City has engaged with thousands of people, as individuals and members of organizations, to develop the vision for Waterfront Seattle; and
WHEREAS, in 2012, Resolution 31399 established the City's support for the Strategic Plan, Central Waterfront Concept Design and Framework Plan, and the Funding Plan for the Waterfront redevelopment and improvements, which rely on the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct as planned by the State; and
WHEREAS, proponents of establishing a public development authority (PDA) to build and operate a mile-long elevated park and other amenities along Seattle’s waterfront, integrating one block of the existing Alaskan Way Viaduct into the design of the elevated park, have submitted to the Office of the City Clerk a petition bearing a sufficient number of signatures to qualify the proposed Initiative filed in Clerk File 319421 ("Initiative Measure No. 123") for placement on the August 2, 2016 ballot; and
WHEREAS, Initiative Measure 123 is inconsistent with the Strategic Plan, Central Waterfront Concept Design and Framework Plan, and the Funding Plan for the Waterfront redevelopment and improvements and undermines the vision for Waterfront Seattle; and
WHEREAS, Article IV of the City Charter specifies that it shall be the duty of the City Council to submit an initiative bearing a sufficient number of signatures to the voters of the City for their ratification or rejection; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE THAT:
Section 1. In accordance with City Charter Article IV, Section 1, the Council has reviewed Initiative Measure No. 123 and rejects it.
Section 2. The City Clerk is authorized and directed to take those actions necessary to place Initiative Measure No. 123 filed in Clerk File 319350, a copy of which is attached as Attachment A, before the voters at the August 2, 2016 election, including but not limited to publishing the proposed initiative measure as provided by the City Charter.
Section 3. The Executive Director of the Ethics and Elections Commission is authorized and requested to take those actions necessary to place information regarding Initiative Measure No. 123 in the August 2, 2016 voters' pamphlet.
Section 4. The Director of Elections of King County, Washington, as ex officio supervisor of elections, is requested to place Initiative Measure No. 123 on the August 2, 2016 ballot, with the following ballot title approved by the Seattle City Attorney:
THE CITY OF SEATTLE
INITIATIVE MEASURE NUMBER 123
The City of Seattle Initiative Measure Number 123 concerns building and
operating a mile-long elevated park on Alaskan Way.
If enacted, the measure would establish a public development authority (PDA)
to build and operate an elevated park and other amenities along the waterfront
integrating one block of the existing Alaskan Way Viaduct into the design. The PDA
would seek public and private funding, including City funds, for this purpose and be
responsible for its monetary liabilities. A twelve-member appointed and elected Council would govern the PDA including four members elected from the PDA Constituency, a public oversight membership group.
Should this measure be enacted into law?
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . .
No . . . . . . . . . . . .
Those in favor shall vote “Yes;” those opposed shall mark their ballots “No.”
Adopted by the City Council the ____ day of ____________________, 2015, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this________ day
of ______________________, 2015.
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President ___________of the City Council
Filed by me this ____ day of ________________________, 2015.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachment A: Initiative Measure No. 123