VIDEO: Last look at Seattle City Council Position 8 finalists before appointment Tuesday

By this time tomorrow, we’ll know who the City Council has chosen to fill out its ranks until the November election. Tomorrow afternoon, they’ll appoint someone to take over citywide Position 8 until then; today, in a 3 1/2-hour special meeting, they listened to more than 60 people voice their choices (and other comments) before each councilmember got 10 minutes to ask questions. (The Seattle Channel‘s full meeting video is above.)

During the public-comment period, we counted 18 speaking in support of Tanya Woo, 12 for Vivian Song, 9 for Neha Nariya (including her parents), 6 each for Mari Sugiyama and Steve Strand (the lone West Seattle-residing finalist), 3 for Mark Solomon, and one for Linh Thai. (Unless it was the one speaker we missed, no one spoke in support of Juan Cotto.) The other commenters didn’t mention a candidate – at least not before their one minute of speaking time ran out.

When the councilmembers got their turns, a few asked multiple questions in lightning-round format. District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka of West Seattle just asked one question, about the finalists’ public-safety priorities. Thai promised to “engage the public and the 911 center” on issues. Sugiyama said she would focus on “accountability.” Strand said it’s all about staffing, and said that appointing a police captain to the council would send a message conducive to SPD’s hiring and retention efforts. Solomon, an SPD crime-prevention coordinator, agreed that more officers are needed and also said it’s important to get people to report all crimes. Neriya said restoring trust and “community policing” are vital. Cotto also focused on building trust. Song said she would be “data-driven” – looking at where crimes are happening and which (repeat offenders) are committing. Woo said improving public safety isn’t just an SPD job, but that every city department has a role to play.

The City Council’s decision is due during its 2 pm meeting Tuesday; here’s the agenda. If you have any last-minute message to send, council@seattle.gov is the address to reach them all.

Mellow Kitty January 23, 2024 (6:36 am)

Correct me if I’m wrong. Didn’t this seat become available because the person elected left the post immediately after being sworn in? To me, this is an underhanded way for the city council to choose who they want in office. It’s a dirty trick to subvert the will of the voters. November is a long way off, plenty of time to force their own agendas.

WSB January 23, 2024 (9:16 am)

No, that is not correct. The position is open because, two years into a four-year City Council term, Teresa Mosqueda was elected to the King County Council. She was last sworn in for the city position in early 2022, after winning re-election in November 2021. The process for filling the vacancy is proceeding according to city charter, not something the new council suddenly came up with. – TR
- Mellow Kitty January 26, 2024 (12:07 pm)
  
  Thank you for clarifying. I honestly wasn’t sure.

Jeff January 23, 2024 (8:58 am)

Anyone but Woo!!

Jeepney January 23, 2024 (10:41 am)

Why the anti-Woo sentiment? I am genuinely interested to hear why people feel she is not a worthy pick for this position.