CITY COUNCIL: Committee chaired by District 1’s Rob Saka expands scope beyond transportation

4:02 PM: Since taking office two years ago, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka has chaired what was simply called the Transportation Committee. Now, as he starts the second half of his term, Saka’s committee has expanded its scope and has become the Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee. Saka talked about it during his turn at the first Council Briefing meeting of the year, which wrapped up less than an hour ago. (He starts 17 minutes into the Seattle Channel meeting video below:)

Musing on what the three topics have in common, Saka said he believes “safety” ties them together. The reworked committee – of which citywide Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck is now vice chair – has its first meeting of the year at 9:30 am Thursday (January 15); its agenda isn’t out yet (watch for it here), but Councilmember Saka told his colleagues at this afternoon’s meeting that he’s expecting a safety report from SDOT, including Vision Zero progress.

SIDE NOTE: During his turn at the briefing meeting, Saka also recapped his visits – with council colleagues – to two big high-school basketball games last Friday night (both of which we covered – the Regina Rogers-Wright tribute at the Chief Sealth IHS girls’ game here, the West Seattle HS boys’ game vs. #1 nationally ranked player Tyran Stokes and Rainier Beach here).

9:44 PM: Thursday’s committee agenda is now available on the council website.

Actualperson January 12, 2026 (4:30 pm)

Here’s hoping that if safety truly is important, he’ll make SDOT leaders and engineers come out and physically walk on the dancing people curve and explain why they aren’t properly fixing the pavement. And no, not holding my breath. Vision zero shouldn’t mean zero vision.

Derp January 12, 2026 (4:40 pm)

Saka needs to fire Brendon Kolding, former SPD officer, fired for harassment of other officers. Saka needs to reprimanded, hand slapped for this hire

Cant believe January 12, 2026 (5:55 pm)

Think of how many police hours or traffic backups have been wasted by that curve. Who cares whose fault it is, just put a stop to it.

Hammer in Hand January 12, 2026 (9:59 pm)

Put the police out there and write tickets!! It will make the curve safer and creat much needed revenue. 2 for 1 solution

Kathy January 13, 2026 (3:53 pm)

I guess you have to walk a mile in their shoes to appreciate what our council members do for us. That said, I find myself hoping that Rinck will be taking an active role in the transportation part of this new committee. Maybe the committee chair can get the Monorail folks to honor public transportation transfers again.