(Added Wednesday morning: Live feed from Seattle City Council budget meeting)

Two more City Council notes:

TOMORROW’S BUDGET REVIEWS: The City Council reconvenes as the Budget Committee at 9:30 Wednesday morning. We tracked today’s 9:30 am and 2 pm review sessions here; four more departments are up tomorrow during sessions at those same times. Each department name below is linked to the newest briefing memo we found in the system :

*Department of Construction and Inspections (most of what used to be known as DPD)
*Human Services Department
*Department of Transportation (SDOT)
*Parks and Recreation

The documents include changes proposed by councilmembers. One West Seattle-specific proposal from our area’s Councilmember Lisa Herbold is in the SDOT budget memo:

Add $100,000 for West Seattle Bridge studies – Councilmember Herbold

This proposal would provide one-time funding for two traffic management studies including:

(1) evaluate the feasibility of traffic management modifications to improve the eastbound Spokane St Viaduct connection to I-5; and (2) evaluate the City’s ability to share data with the Federal Railroad Administration to better manage and enforce rules regulating the blockage of public grade crossings by trains.

And from the Parks memo:

Community Planning Process for Myers Way Properties, Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI) – Councilmember Herbold

This proposal would request the executive to conduct a community planning process to determine the future uses of the Myers Way Properties. Such uses/purposes would include: green space that can serve to clean the air and water near an environmentally degraded area; protection of wetlands and Hamm Creek Watershed; hill stabilization; natural park space in an under-served area; preschool; expansion of the Joint Training Facility for firefighters to include training for police. In July, the Mayor announced the Myers Way Properties would be retained in City ownership, and that the northernmost portion be used for expansion of the Joint Training Facility. The remainder of the property would be retained and designated for open space and/or recreation purposes, consistent with community input. The Mayor indicated that DPR will conduct further public outreach to determine how best to use the properties.

She and other councilmembers have many other proposed changes you can see in each of the linked memos (usually toward the end), but we’re highlighting those as WS-specific. The budget-review process continues until a final version is passed in November.

COUNCILMEMBER’S ‘OFFICE HOURS’: Herbold announced today that she’ll be at the Senior Center of West Seattle this Friday (October 21st) for “in-district office hours,” noon-7 pm. Walk-ins welcome, but she says you are also welcome to make an appointment via her scheduler Alex Clardy (alex.clardy@seattle.gov).

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Driver cited in school-bus crash near South Transfer Station

October 18, 2016 9:31 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| South Park | West Seattle news

(Seattle Fire Department photo)

We’ve learned that this crash near the South Transfer Station between West Seattle and South Park today resulted in a citation for the school-bus driver involved. Seattle Public Schools, which contracts with the bus company, didn’t have information on what the citation was for, but did confirm to WSB that the driver was cited. Seattle Fire reported that no one was hurt in the midday crash at West Marginal Way South and South Holden; the bus was carrying two preschoolers, and one child’s dad tells WSB they were being transported from a preschool program at Fairmount Park Elementary.

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West Seattle wildlife: Coyote by the park

October 18, 2016 8:52 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Second coyote photo of the week – thanks again! Just keeping track of our urban wildlife. This photo was texted this morning from the Fairmount Park/Playfield area, Fauntleroy Way and SW Dawson [map]. As always, heres the gold-standard advice from the state Fish and Wildlife Department – including what to do if you see one nearby – do your best to scare it away – coexistence for us, them, and the rest of the urban ecosystem depends on them wanting to keep their distance.

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Remembering Betty Cook, 1918-2016, and her ‘long and amazing life’

October 18, 2016 7:07 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are sharing this remembrance of Betty Cook, 98:

Betty Jane Eleanor Carl Cook
March 1918-October 2016

Betty Cook succumbed to her battle with time, and passed away peacefully in West Seattle, where she called home for over 70 years of her long and amazing life.

Betty was born and raised in Seattle, and graduated from Franklin H.S. and then attended the University of Washington where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. Through her career she worked for her father (Roland A. Carl) who owned the Pacific Coast Coal & Oil Co.in West Seattle, and also enjoyed a long relationship working at Cascade Heating and Air Conditioning in Ballard.

No one can accuse our mother of being idle as she was active in the community in many different ways. She was a member of the PTA at Alki Elementary as well as an active member of the Electrical Women’s Round Table (E.W.R.T) in the Seattle area. She remained an active member of the University of Washington Arboretum Society in her later years. For several years our family was involved with the local TYEE Triumph club; as sports car enthusiasts we traveled and participated in autocross events as well as rallies and oh yes, an occasional party or two.

Our family forged many longstanding and cherished relationships throughout their time as members of the car club.

Throughout the years our family spent many summers east of the mountains at Lake Chelan where Mom and Dad eventually settled in at Sun Ray Shores, a small tight-knit community where again many cherished relationships were made.

In looking back over our mother’s 98 years, it is hard to imagine all of the things she has witnessed as well as participated in over her nearly century on this earth. She most certainly did not get shortchanged! Our mother was a force, and in looking for words to describe her, some that come to mind are strong, direct, wise and always loving.

Betty loved her family! She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, Frank Cook as well as her oldest daughter, Barbara Rideout (Cook). She is survived by her two other children, Patricia Woeck (Cook) and Harry Cook, and her grandchildren, Jennifer Frisch (Woeck), Rob Woeck, Jason Rideout, and Andrew Cook, along with 8 greatgrandchildren.

We will always take with us, that when she would see us she would say “you’ll never know how much I love you”, well Mom….we all knew.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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COUNTDOWN: 3-week closure ahead for Southwest Pool

October 18, 2016 4:16 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo)

While doing research for the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, we discovered Southwest Pool is NOT having a pumpkin swim this year – because Halloween weekend will happen during its maintenance closure. We asked Seattle Parks for more information on the shutdown, set to start next Monday, and here’s what spokesperson Christina Hirsch tells us:

There is a two-week pool closure that is needed as preventative maintenance to rebuild pumps, check boilers, and critical systems. It is also an opportunity for repair or repaint throughout the building. This closure is a regular part of an 18-month cycle with the next closure planned in spring of 2018.

The final week of the three-week closure will result in full facility shutdown including Neighborhood Service Center, Teen Life Center, child care, and pool. During this time, wood floors will be resurfaced using products that prevent anyone from being in the building for several days. Gym floors require this treatment every two years. Other wood floors in the building have not been refinished for four years and are overdue for this essential work.

The facility will reopen on Monday, November 14.

Again, the closure is set to start next Monday, October 24th.

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Got it but don’t need it? Get it out of your home on Drug Take-Back Day

October 18, 2016 3:22 pm

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| Health | Safety | West Seattle news

Quick reminder that this Saturday is the next Drug Take-Back Day, coast to coast, with the Southwest Precinct accepting your expired and/or no-longer-needed prescription drugs, 10 am-2 pm. Free, anonymous, no questions asked, an easy way to remove the possibility of abuse, poisoning, etc. – drop yours off at 2300 SW Webster [map].

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Exposer alert

October 18, 2016 1:23 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

This reader report e-mailed today is from someone who wanted to anonymously alert West Seattle neighbors:

Yesterday morning when I was walking my dog on SW Henderson between 31st and 32nd Ave SW [map], a Caucasian man pulled up in a silver Nissan (not sure of the model) and asked for directions to Delridge and Holden. I started to give him directions from there when I noticed movement in his lap; it took another moment for me to realize that he was touching himself while I was talking. I stepped away from the car and he continued to stare for another moment until he drove away. I took down the license plate of his car and a description of the driver, and I’ve filed a report with the SW Precinct.

We’ve sent a followup question about the driver’s description and will update with the response.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Crime Prevention Council & 4 more calendar highlights

October 18, 2016 11:57 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sanderling in the surf, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Five highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for the rest of today/tonight:

COMMUNITY PREVENTION AND WELLNESS INITIATIVE COALITION: 4 pm at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center, this meeting is for people who “are passionate about preventing youth substance abuse and making a difference” in the community – more information in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way)

AUTHOR READING: Christopher Anderson reads from “Economy and Ecology: How Capitalism Brought Us to the Brink” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm. (5612 California SW)

TUESDAY TUNE-UP FOR CAMP VICTORY: 6:30-8:30 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), tonight’s Tuesday Tune-Up event supports Camp Victory, for 5-to-18-year-olds who are survivors of sexual assault. More information in our calendar listing. Live music, no cover but donations gratefully accepted. (1936 Harbor SW)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct, your monthly opportunity to hear from local police about crime trends and to tell them about your neighborhood crime/safety concerns. This month’s guest speaker is from our region’s major law-enforcement training center. (2300 SW Webster)

TRIVIA NIGHT FUNDRAISER: Show your trivia mastery while helping the Senior Center of West Seattle raise $, 7:30 pm at the center, with legendary local trivia host Phil Tavel. Details in our calendar listing. (SW Oregon/California SW)

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TERMINAL 5 MODERNIZATION: Port announces final environmental-impact statement, with ‘preferred alternative’

October 18, 2016 10:23 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| Environment | Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 11:35 AM with “what’s next” now that this is public)

(January 2015 photo of Terminal 5 by Long Bach Nguyen)

10:23 AM: Just announced by the port: It’s finished the final environmental-impact statement for the proposed $200+-million modernization of Terminal 5 in West Seattle. We haven’t read the fine print yet but the news release says some community requests are addressed – including shore power so ships ~~aren’t running~~ don’t have to run their engines while docked:

The Port of Seattle has completed the environmental analysis of Terminal 5 and has prepared the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the project to modernize the cargo-handling facility in order to serve larger cargo vessels. The proposed upgrades to Terminal 5 are wharf rehabilitation, berth deepening, electrical service and improvements to the upland portions of the property.

“Based on public comment we are including a number of improvements, such as shore power for vessels, installing gates for noise and safety mitigation for rail, and significant traffic improvement measures,” said John Creighton, Port of Seattle Commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance. “We want to thank the public for weighing in on this proposal during the comment period.”

“With this Final Environmental Impact Statement for Terminal 5, we are one step closer to making this prime maritime asset ‘Big Ship Ready’ and able to handle the largest container vessels working the market today,” said Connie Bacon, Port of Tacoma Commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance. “This region needs this terminal to remain competitive in today’s global economy.”

Mitigation measures for the project include construction of plug-in capability for shore power at two berths, tracking of air quality performance, establishment of a safety corridor between the Terminal 5 gate and the Duwamish river in order to minimize the need to use locomotive horns, required use of ambient-sensing broadband back up alarms, implementation of a Gate Queue Management plan, establishing a truck driver information system, comprehensive traffic signal improvements along SW Spokane Street and an operation noise management plan to ensure and monitor compliance with the Seattle noise code.

The FEIS evaluated potential impacts to earth, air, water, plants, animals, energy and natural resources, environmental health, noise, aesthetics (including light and glare), historic and cultural resources, transportation and public services. The Port of Seattle Commission must approve the recommended improvements in public session.

Copies of the FEIS are available for review at the Seattle Central Library, Delridge Library, Southwest Library, Highpoint Library, South Park Library, and West Seattle Library. Copies are also available at the Port of Seattle, Maritime Environment and Sustainability Department, Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington, during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

People interested in receiving a copy of the FEIS should contact Brenda Thomas at 206-787-3382 or email at: SEPA.p@portseattle.org. The FEIS can also be reviewed and downloaded at the Port of Seattle website and at the Terminal 5 Improvements Project Online Open House.

The entire environmental review followed community concerns, including a petition drive, that followed the port’s original announcement that it didn’t believe a full-scale environmental impact statement would be needed. The purpose of the EIS (direct link here – use dropdown under “Current Projects”) is for use by agencies making decisions about permits for the project, which the port says is expected to be complete by 2020.

11:35 AM: We talked with port spokesperson Peter McGraw regarding “what’s next” now that this is out. For one, there is an appeals process – deadline, November 1st. That’s explained here, on the “Next Steps” page of the “online open house.” And, McGraw points out, a big part of the final EIS is the announcement of the port’s “preferred alternative” – it’s the one that does NOT include “upland improvements” beyond T-5’s existing footprint.

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YOUR MONEY: City Councilmembers’ proposed budget changes go public in ‘deliberations’ phase

October 18, 2016 9:02 am

| Comments Off on YOUR MONEY: City Councilmembers’ proposed budget changes go public in ‘deliberations’ phase

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(9:43 pm update: What’s above is Seattle Channel video of today’s first Budget Committee session)

9:02 AM: City Councilmembers’ proposed changes to the mayor’s budget start going public today, with the Budget Committee‘s 9:30 am meeting kicking off the “deliberations” phase of the process. Some proposals are summarized in the documents that are published online as part of the agenda. Here are the six departments scheduled to appear before councilmembers today, in agenda order:

Office of Economic Development (OED)
Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL)
Office of Labor Standards (OLS)
Seattle Police Department (SPD)
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU)
Department of Neighborhoods (DON) and Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF)

Each department name above links to the document that’s in today’s agenda; those documents review key budget points, and – generally toward the end in the ones we’ve read – councilmembers’ proposed changes.

Of particular note here, since we are a neighborhood-news publication – the Department of Neighborhoods document mentions proposals from our area’s Councilmember Lisa Herbold that include a few that would somewhat soften the mayor’s proposal to cut all city ties to and support for neighborhood district councils. She is suggesting that the city budget retain the ~$7,000 in support for the 13 district councils; each generally uses its ~$500 share of that to rent meeting space for the year. Herbold also is suggesting keeping an advisory role for the district councils in the review processes for community grants, before they go to the mayor’s new proposed citywide Community Involvement Commission.

In the Department of Education and Early Learning document, Herbold has this proposal, which appears to be inspired by what happened to some West Seattle programs this year, saved by the deal to house them at the currently otherwise-unused Schmitz Park Elementary:

$2 million for both 2017 and 2018 to create a Child Care Space Mitigation fund to address the displacement of before- and after-school child care from Seattle Public Schools’ buildings. In February, the District notified providers at seven schools that they would be displaced for the 2016-2017 school year and, given the trend of increasing enrollment and state reductions in class size, it is expected that additional displacements will occur in future years. The funding would be prioritized for use by the District to make arrangements to keep child care on-site at schools where providers would otherwise be displaced.

LOTS of other proposals are on the table, and the budget process has another month to go, but this is the point where the most changes stand to be made, so it’s good to pay attention – we’re still reading the docs, too. You can watch today’s discussions live on Seattle Channel (online or Cable 21), starting at 9:30 am – we’ll add the video window to this story when it’s live.

P.S. Councilmembers’ contact info is here.

9:38 AM: The morning session has begun, and we’ve added the live-feed window above; budget chair Councilmember Tim Burgess indicates they’ll be going through the first three departments on the list this morning.

11:43 AM: The meeting is in recess until 2 pm, at which time the same “live” video window above should be operable again. The final 3 departments listed above will be in the afternoon discussion.

2:17 PM: The meeting has resumed. SPD is up now, SPU to follow, and then the Department of Neighborhoods.

5:26 PM: Meeting’s over. The council reconvenes as the Budget Committee at 9:30 am Wednesday.

9:43 PM: Seattle Channel’s archived video of today’s first session is available and we’ve substituted it atop this story. We’ll add session two when it appears online, likely tomorrow.

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