Seattle council committees advanced several ordinances this week affecting utility bills, housing regulations, and public safety policy, with full City Council votes on several items scheduled for August 4.
\nThe Governance and Utilities Committee recommended three ordinances on July 29, all passing 5-0. CB 121245 would revise Seattle Public Utilities water rates, charges, and low-income credits. CB 121246 would expand eligibility for emergency bill assistance for Seattle Public Utilities customers, and CB 121247 would do the same for City Light customers. All three now head to the full Council.
\nThe Land Use and Sustainability Committee recommended passage of CB 121243 on July 30, voting 4-0. The ordinance proposes temporary regulations to exempt certain housing projects from Design Review and allow for Administrative Design Review options.
\nThe Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee recommended on July 22 that the Council pass CB 121259, establishing a residential Do Not Solicit List to protect homeowners from unwanted property solicitation. The vote was 4-0. The same committee also recommended confirmation of 8 appointments to the Seattle Human Rights Commission, 7 to the Seattle Disability Commission, and 4 to the Seattle LGBTQ Commission, each vote 4-0. The committee discussed CB 121254 regarding rental agreement fee regulation but took no action.
\nEarlier, on July 23, the Land Use and Sustainability Committee heard Information Item Inf 2932 regarding subarea plans for Northgate, Downtown, and the Manufacturing & Industrial Center. No decisions were made.
\nThe Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee recommended on July 27 that the Council pass CB 121242, allowing FH, LLC d/b/a Skyline to build and operate a pedestrian skybridge over 8th Avenue in First Hill. The vote was 5-0. The committee also recommended granting CF 314530, a petition for an alley vacation at 8623 Palatine Ave N, also 5-0.
\nThe Public Safety Committee recommended passage of CB 121248 on July 28, voting 5-0. The ordinance updates City policy for enforcement of knowing possession and use of controlled substances.
\nThe Select Committee on the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy met July 22 to review CB 1212401, an ordinance approving the FEPP Implementation and Evaluation Plan required by Ordinance 127238. The full Council was scheduled to vote July 28 on the six-year implementation plan (CB 121240), which passed committee 8-1. Also on the July 28 agenda: CB 121215 amending land use decision processes (passed committee 3-0 with 2 abstentions), CB 121225 establishing a new IT pay structure, CB 121256 on a Fire Protection Engineer classification agreement with Professional and Technical Employees Local 17, and CB 121257 on a collective bargaining agreement with IBEW Local 77 for City Light employees. Minutes for the July 28 Council meeting have not yet been published.
\nThe July 21 City Council agenda included CB 1212261, a sales and use tax proposition for the November 3, 2026 ballot to fund transit programs; CB 121250, transferring the Lake City Garage and Plaza from Finance to Parks & Recreation; CB 121249, authorizing ten-year agreements for City Light transportation electrification programs; and CB 1212312, establishing new City Light retail rate schedules for data-center electricity loads. Minutes for that meeting have not yet been published.
\nThe Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan met July 30 to receive a presentation on anti-displacement strategies from Rico Quirondongo, Michael Hubner, and Geoffrey Wentlandt of the Office of Planning and Community Development. The committee also discussed the Chair's letter regarding Phase III of the Comprehensive Plan.
\nThe Council Briefing on July 20, the Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee on July 22, and the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan on July 23 were all cancelled.
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