CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION related to addressing the needs of people living in the I-5 East Duwamish Greenbelt and in the adjoining neighborhoods; accepting the Seattle Human Services Department’s East Duwamish Greenbelt Encampments Outreach Assessment; and approving the City’s operations plan to physically improve and maintain the Greenbelt and provide a healthier and safer environment for all.
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WHEREAS, The City of Seattle and King County declared a State of Emergency on November 2, 2015, and are committed to addressing the homelessness crisis in Seattle; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the public health and public safety concerns for the needs of the people living in and near the I-5 East Duwamish Greenbelt (“Greenbelt”), for police, firefighters, and first responders to emergencies in and around the Greenbelt, and for those who use the I-5 freeway, as detailed in the February 17, 2016, “I-5 and East Duwamish Greenbelt Conditions Assessment” report; and
WHEREAS, on May 31, 2016, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 31671, with the Mayor concurring, which endorsed a public health and public safety model to address the needs of people living in the Greenbelt and in the adjoining neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, consistent with Resolution 31671, the City and its outreach professionals have since engaged in many weeks of intensive outreach to individuals living in the Greenbelt, as detailed in reports to the City Council on June 9, 2016; June 24, 2016; July 8, 2016; and August 18, 2016; and
WHEREAS, the City and State acknowledge that a number of infrastructure and safety improvements for the Greenbelt are critically important, including brush removal and native plant restoration, trash and debris removal, restoration of an access road, and repair of freeway and stormwater infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, Seattle’s Human Services Department, the Seattle Police Department, the Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and other agencies have produced an operations plan detailing how people will be safely moved in order for infrastructure improvements to be made; and
WHEREAS, person-centered efforts combined with physical improvements can drastically improve an area of the City that has suffered from years of neglect; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The Seattle Human Services Department’s “Assessment of Union Gospel Mission’s East Duwamish Greenbelt Encampment Outreach” (see Attachment A to this resolution), which details actions taken by the City and its outreach professionals related to people living in the I-5 East Duwamish Greenbelt (“Greenbelt”), is hereby accepted.
Section 2. The City’s “I-5 East Duwamish Greenbelt Operational Plan” (see Attachment B to this resolution), which details the operational plan for near-term initial infrastructure improvements and brush removal work in the Greenbelt, is hereby approved.
Section 3. The Mayor and the City Council recognize the need for ongoing coordination with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and that long-term investments in the Greenbelt and surrounding areas should continue to be made. To this end, The City of Seattle will continue to work with WSDOT to identify short- and long-term maintenance, activation, and infrastructure opportunities that promote public safety. Council requests that the Executive report to Council on progress toward a memorandum of understanding, or other agreement, among The City of Seattle, WSDOT, and any other relevant parties regarding the ongoing maintenance of the Greenbelt before the end of Phase IV of the I-5 East Duwamish Greenbelt Operational Plan (see Attachment B to this resolution). This agreement should provide clear expectations of the role of each of the parties to the agreement and consideration to not only the area within the Greenbelt but also the surrounding neighborhoods.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2016, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments:
Attachment A - Assessment of UGM’s East Duwamish Greenbelt Encampment Outreach
Attachment B - I-5 East Duwamish Greenbelt Operational Plan