FANTASTIC. THE MAY 27, 2026
MEETING OF THE HOUSING, ARTS AND
CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE WILL COME
TO ORDER. IT IS TO:05. CHAIR OF
THE HOUSING, ARTS AND CIVIL
RIGHTS COMMITTEE. WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> [ ROLL CALL ] THERE ARE THREE
MEMBERS PRESENT.
>> THANK YOU. LET THE RECORD
REFLECT THAT COUNCIL PRESIDENT
HOLLINGSWORTH AND VICE CHAIR LIN
ARE EXCUSED TODAY. IF THERE IS
NO OBJECTION, THE AGENDA WILL BE
ADOPTED. HEARING NO OBJECTION,
THE AGENDA IS ADOPTED. WE WILL
NOW OPEN THE HYBRID PUBLIC
COMMENT PERIOD. PUBLIC COMMENT
SHOULD RELATE TO ITEMS ON
TODAY'S AGENDA WITHIN THE
PURVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE. CLERK,
HOW MANY SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP
TODAY? BECAUSE THERE ARE NO
SPEAKERS SIGNED UP.
>> ALL RIGHT. IT IS OUR FIRST
MEETING WITH NO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE RIGHT
ONTO THE FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEMS
ONE THROUGH THREE INTO THE
RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEMS ONE THROUGH
THREE, APPOINTMENT 03505 AGENDA
ITEMS ONE THROUGH THREE,
APPOINTMENT 03505303507,
APPOINTMENT OF KIM KKWAFKWAO ,
J. QUEEN ADAMS AND DAVID ISAAC.
MEMBERS OF SEATTLE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION FOR TERMS JULY 22,
2027 FOR BREATHING, DISCUSSION
OF POSSIBLE THOUGH.
>> FANTASTIC. WITHOUT FURTHER
ADO, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE UP
TO THE COMMITTEE TABLE SEBASTIAN
WILSON WITH THE OFFICE FOR CIVIL
RIGHTS, WHO WILL PROVIDE A BRIEF
OVERVIEW OF THE SEATTLE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION. I ALSO WANT
TO INVITE DAVID ISAAK AND KIM
KKWAFKWAO WERE JOINING VIRTUALLY
TO UN-MUTE AND INTRODUCED
THEMSELVES. WE WILL START WITH
SEBASTIAN. I WILL OFFER SOME
BRIEF COMMENTS. WE DO HAVE A
SHORT COMMITTEE TODAY. WE ARE
JUST DOING APPOINTMENTS. I
REALLY WANT TO THANK OUR
APPOINTEES FOR STEPPING UP AND
SEEKING TO SERVE IN THESE ROLES
ON THE SEATTLE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION. I APPRECIATE THE
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS FOR YOUR
WORK IN LEADING THIS APPOINTMENT
PROCESS, AS WELL AS TO THE
MAYOR'S OFFICE AS WE HAVE ONE
MAYORAL APPOINTEE AND TWO
COUNCIL APPOINTEES. THE HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION, WHICH WE WILL
HERE IN A SECOND FROM SEBASTIAN,
ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE, EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY IN OUR CITY AND IS A
FANTASTIC PARTNER TO THIS
COUNCIL AS WE SEEK TO MAKE SURE
WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON CIVIL
AND HUMAN RIGHTS. WITH THAT,
I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO
SEBASTIAN TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF
AND THE COMMISSION, AND THEN WE
WILL HEAR BRIEFLY FROM BOTH KIM
AND DAVID.
>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER. A HEARTFELT APPRECIATION
TO THIS COMMITTEE AND THE
COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE. EACH OF
YOU HAVE GIVEN TIME AND MAJOR
CELLS AVAILABLE TO OUR
COMMISSIONERS. YOU LISTENED TO
AND INCORPORATED THEIR ADVICE IN
YOUR DECISIONS. WE REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT. WE RECOGNIZE
SOME GREAT WORK HAS HAPPENED
ALREADY WITH THE COLLABORATION
WITH COUNCIL. SO REALLY, JUST
WANT TO APPRECIATE EACH OF YOU
AND ARE EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO
WATCH THOSE RELATIONSHIPS
DEVELOP AND GROW. I WOULD ALSO
LIKE TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER
FOSTER AND YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR
DILIGENCE IN GETTING TODAY'S
COMMISSION NOMINEES PROCESSED
AND ON THE AGENDA. NOMINEES
CANNOT FULLY PARTICIPATE UNTIL
THEY ARE CONFIRMED BY COUNCIL.
SO THE FASTER WE ARE ABLE TO
TURN AROUND THEIR APPOINTMENTS,
THE MORE QUICKLY THE NOMINEE CAN
CONTRIBUTE THEIR SKILLS AND
TALENTS TO MAKING THE POSITIVE
CHANGE THEY ARE SO PASSIONATE
ABOUT. MY NAME IS SEBASTIAN
WILSON. USE HE/AND PRONOUNS AND
END STRATEGIC ADVISOR WITH THE
OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS. MY WORK
FOCUSES ON INCREASING CAPACITY,
PROVIDING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
AND FOSTERING COLLABORATION
BETWEEN OUR FOUR ADVISORY
COMMISSIONS. I AM ALSO THE
ACTIVE STAFF LIAISON TO THE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. BEFORE
WE INTRODUCE THE NOMINEES, I
WILL PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF
THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AND
THE APPLICATION PROCESS. THE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION WAS
ESTABLISHED 63 YEARS AGO TO
ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE AND EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY. IT LED TO THE
FORMATION OF THE OFFICE FOR
CIVIL RIGHTS AND HAS BEEN A
DRIVING FORCE OF PROGRESSIVE
CHANGE AND CITY ACCOUNTABILITY
EVER SINCE. THE WORK OF THE
COMMISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN
IMPORTANT, AND IS EVEN MORE
PRESSING NOW IN OUR CURRENT
SOCIOPOLITICAL CLIMATE. THE
COMMISSION'S THE PRICE OF 21
SEATS OF VOLUNTEER COMMISSIONERS
WHO LIVE OR WORK IN THE CITY OF
SEATTLE. AS YOU MAY RECALL FROM
THEIR PRESENTATION TO THIS
COMMITTEE ON MARCH 25, THE
COMMISSION'S 2026 PRIORITIES
ARE TO INCREASE THEIR ENGAGEMENT
WITH THE PEOPLE OF SEATTLE, CITY
COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE,
TO REVIEW POLICIES THAT MAY BE
DISCRIMINATORY AND INFORM THE
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS DIRECTOR
OF THEIR FINDINGS WITH PROPOSED
SOLUTIONS, AND TO PARTNER WITH
OTHER CITY OF SEATTLE BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONS AROUND SHARED
ADVOCACY GOALS. IN ADDITION TO
THESE PRIORITIES, THEIR TASK
FORCE 'S AREAS OF FOCUS ARE
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS,
CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM REFORM,
HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND
AFFAIRS. A COUPLE OF UNIQUE
RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THE
COMMISSION HAS IS TO HEAR
APPEALS TO INVESTIGATION
DECISIONS MADE BY OUR OFFICE ON
CLAIMS OF DISCRIMINATION WITHIN
SEATTLE CITY LIMITS. AND THEY
HOST THE HUMAN RIGHTS DATE EVENT
SERIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IT
CULMINATES WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS
DAY EVENT IN DECEMBER. ALL OF
THOSE EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC AND EACH OF YOU ARE
INVITED TO ATTEND. SO KEEP YOUR
EYES OPEN TO INVITATIONS FROM
THE COMMISSION THROUGHOUT THE
YEAR. WE KNOW THAT ALL OF THIS
WORK IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE
TIRELESS COMMITMENT OF
INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS WHO GIVE
THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO IMPROVE
OUTCOMES FOR THE COMMUNITIES OF
SEATTLE. WE ARE CURRENTLY
WORKING TO BUILD SEATS ON THE
COMMISSION AND HAVE BEEN
RECRUITING AND REVIEWING
APPLICATIONS ON A ROLLING BASIS.
APPLICANTS PARTICIPATE IN TWO
ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS BEFORE A
NOMINATION IS MADE. THE FIRST
PANEL IS COMPRISED OF CURRENT
COMMISSIONERS AND OCR STAFF
REPRESENTATIVES . THE PANEL THEN
MAKES THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS TO
THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR, WHO
CONDUCTED A SECOND ROUND OF
INTERVIEWS AND PUT FORWARD THEIR
RECOMMENDATIONS. OCR STAFF THEN
CONDUCTS ONE FINAL REVIEW OF THE
CANDIDATES'S MATERIALS,
COMPLETELY NOTICEABLE PAPERWORK
AND ROUTES IT TO THE PARTY FOR
SIGNATURE. WE HAVE A FANTASTIC
SLATE OF NOMINEES FOR
CONSIDERATION TODAY AND ARE
EXCITED TO HAVE TWO OF THEM HERE
VIRTUALLY. UNFORTUNATELY, QUEEN
ADAMS HAD A SCHEDULING CONFLICT
AND CANNOT ATTEND. I WILL
INTRODUCE THEM NOW AND PASS IT
OVER TO KIM AND DAVID TO SHARE
ABOUT THEMSELVES. QUEEN ADAMS, A
CITY COUNCIL APPOINTEE, IS A
CERTIFIED HUMAN RIGHTS
CONSULTANT AND DEDICATED
ADVOCATE COMMITTED TO ADVANCING
JUSTICE, EQUITY AND THE INHERENT
DIGNITY OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL.
WITH A PASSION FOR PROTECTING
THE RIGHTS OF MARGINALIZED AND
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, SHE
APPROACHES HER WORK WITH A BLEND
OF COMPASSION, STRATEGIC INSIGHT
AND DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED.
SHE HOLDS A BACHELORS DEGREE IN
COMMUNICATIONS AND SPANISH AND A
COMBINATION THAT STRENGTHENS HER
ABILITY TO BUILD BRIDGES ACROSS
CULTURES, ENGAGE DIVERSE
COMMUNITIES, AND COMMUNICATE
WITH CLARITY AND PURPOSE. QUEEN
ALSO EARNED A MASTERS DEGREE IN
CHRISTIAN STUDIES, GRABBING HER
LEADERSHIP IN ETHICAL CONVICTION
AND SERVICE , AND IN ADDITION,
HOLDS A CERTIFICATE OF
IMMIGRATION LAW TO HELP WITH
HONORABLE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES
WITH HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES AT
LOCAL AND GLOBAL LEVELS. AS A
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER, QUEEN
HOPES TO CHAMPION POLICIES THAT
BALANCE SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES,
ELEVATE COMMUNITY VOICES AND
CREATE PATHWAYS FOR ALL PEOPLE
TO THRIVE. HER VISION IS A
COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY
INDIVIDUAL, REGARDLESS OF
BACKGROUND, IDENTITY OR
CIRCUMSTANCE, IS SEEN, HEARD AND
PROTECTED. WITH A DEEP-ROOTED
COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS, SHE
BRINGS A BOLD AND COMPASSIONATE
VOICE TO HER ROLE AS
COMMISSIONER. SHE IS COMMITTED
TO EXPANDING ACCESS TO JUSTICE
AND ENSURING THAT HUMAN RIGHTS
PROTECTIONS ARE NOT MERELY
ASPIRATIONAL, BUT ACTIVELY
UPHELD. QUEEN IS HONORED TO BE
NOMINATED FOR A SEAT ON THE
COMMISSION AND IS EXCITED TO
BEGIN AS A CONFIRMED
COMMISSIONER SOON. NOW, I WILL
PASS IT OVER TO KIM AND DAVID
FOR INTRODUCTIONS AND TO SHARE
WHY THEY ARE INTERESTED IN
SERVING ON THE COMMISSION. AND
THEN, ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE
COMMITTEE MIGHT HAVE. KIM, I
INVITE YOU TO PLEASE GO FIRST.
>> HI, EVERYONE. I AM KIM
KKWAFKWAO, A RECENT GRADUATE
FROM UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON .
I AM VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE .
FROM A YOUNG AGE, I HAVE BEEN
VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT ADVOCATING
FOR EQUITY , AND AFTER I
GRADUATED, I LOOK FORWARD TO BE
ABLE TO DO THIS WITHIN MY
COMMUNITY . I CAME ACROSS THE
OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND FOUND
THAT THEIR GOALS ALIGN WITH THE
GOALS I AM ALSO INTERESTED IN .
OVER THE PAST ALMOST YEAR, I
HAVE BEEN VOLUNTEERING WITH THE
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS TASK
FORCE . AND THROUGH THIS, I HAVE
GAINED FIRST-HAND INSIGHT INTO
THE CHALLENGES FACING MEMBERS OF
THE SEATTLE COMMUNITY . I HAVE
SEEN THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS
THAT PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN TO TRY TO
ADDRESS THEM . I AM VERY EXCITED
TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AND THE
HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING TASK
FORCE . AS I SAID BEFORE, I AM
EXCITED TO BE GRANTED THIS
OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WILL GO
OVER TO YOU .
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY
NAME IS DAVID ISAAK. I AM
HONORED TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO
SHARE MORE WITH THE COUNCIL
ABOUT MY INTEREST IN SERVING ON
THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. I
HAVE SPENT MORE THAN 16 YEARS IN
PUBLIC SERVICE, PRIMARILY AS A
FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER WITH THE
UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WORKING ON HUMAN RIGHTS,
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE,
ANTICORRUPTION AND COMMUNITY
RESILIENCE IN NEPAL, MADAGASCAR,
MOZAMBIQUE AND SYRIA, AND ALSO
GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS RELATED
POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND
IMPLEMENTATION. PART OF THAT
WORK ALSO INCLUDES SUPPORTING
EFFORTS TO COMBAT HUMAN
TRAFFICKING AND PROTECTING
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. TODAY AT
WORK IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN
BELLEVUE , FOCUSED ON
NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAGEMENT AND
OUTREACH. I AM A QUEEN ANNE
RESIDENT I HAVE A BACHELORS
DEGREE IN INTERNATIONAL
INVOLVEMENT AND URBAN PLANNING.
INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BECAUSE
I BELIEVE CITIES REALLY HAVE
UNIQUE ROLE TO PLAY AND AN
OPPORTUNITY, ESPECIALLY NOW, AND
PROTECTING DIGNITY, EXPANDING
PARTICIPATION, AND HELPING
PEOPLE FEEL CONNECTED TO THEIR
COMMUNITIES AND TO THEIR
INSTITUTIONS. I BRING YEARS OF
BOTH INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS
PROGRAMMING AND POLICY WORK, SO
THE PRAGMATICS OF
IMPLEMENTATION, BUT ALSO NOW
LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE IN
THE SEATTLE METRO AREA. WITH A
FOCUS ON BUILDING STRATEGIES FOR
FURTHER ENGAGEMENT WITH
COMMUNITY MEMBERS, I WOULD BE
INTERESTED IN CLOBBERING ACROSS
COMMISSIONS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED
ORGANIZATIONS AND WITH
GOVERNMENT AND SUPPORTING
RECOGNITION OF STRATEGY FOR
STRENGTHENING HUMAN RIGHTS THAT
REQUIRES PARTNERSHIP AND RESPECT
FOR DIVERSITY OF VIEWPOINTS AND
APPROACHES . I AM A HUSBAND AND
FATHER OF TWO AND FEEL DEEPLY
COMMITTED TO HELPING THE CITY
CONTINUED TO PROTECT AND HONOR
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT FOR EVERYONE,
ESPECIALLY OUR CHILDREN. THANK
YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT WAS
REALLY FANTASTIC. I APPRECIATE
YOU. SEBASTIAN, ON BEHALF OF
QUEEN WHO COULDN'T BE HERE, AND
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO KIM AND
DAVID FOR SHARING YOUR
EXPERIENCE WITH US, AND ALSO
SHARING YOUR PASSION AND YOUR
REASON WHY FOR SERVING ON THE
COMMITTEE. COLLEAGUES, I
RETURNED TO YOU TO SEE FIRST IF
THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS FOR OUR
APPOINTEES PRIOR TO GOING TO A
VOTE.
>> MADAME CHAIR.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ.
>> QUICK QUESTION. I WAS GOING
THROUGH -- WHEN WE GET THE
APPLICATION PACKETS -- HOW COME
-- USUALLY WILL FILL IN WHAT
DISTRICT PEOPLE ARE FROM. I
RECALL THEM AS EMPTY. I KNOW
BRANDON IS IN -- I THINK KIM IS
IN D5 . IS THERE A REASON YOU
DIDN'T FILL THAT IN?
>> I'M NOT SURE BUT I BELIEVE
THEY WERE ON THE ORIGINAL NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT PACKETS.
>> OKAY. MY COLUMN IS EMPTY. I
DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS JUST ME.
ON THE MAYORAL ONE, IT IS EMPTY
FOR KIM.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, COUNCIL
MEMBER JUAREZ. I KNOW DAVID IS
QUEEN ANNE, SO IS D7 . KIM,
GUINEA WORM MY DRESS WHICH
DISTRICT YOU ARE IN?
>> NORTHGATE.
>> FANTASTIC. THAT IS D5. I
DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE QUEEN'S
HERE. BUT WE WILL MAKE SURE TO
GET THAT INFORMATION TO YOU
COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ.
>> I WAS JUST CONFIRMING.
USUALLY WE GO THROUGH THE PACKET
AND TRY TO -- ONE REASON WHY, AS
YOU KNOW, WE WENT TO A DISTRICT
SYSTEM. WE TRY TO HAVE SOME
DISTRICT PURITY ACROSS THE CITY
. BASICALLY PEOPLE NORTH OF THE
SHIP CANAL. WE NEED PEOPLE UP
THERE TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING
SOUTH OF THE SHIP CANAL AS WELL.
I DID HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU,
SEBASTIAN. AND WE HAVE MET
BEFORE. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT, WAS AT
63 YEARS AGO DURING THE CIVIL
RIGHTS ERA , 1964, 'CITY FIVE
LAWS? A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THAT?
>> IT WAS FOUNDED IN '63.
>> THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT. RIGHT
IN THAT POCKET WHEN A LOT OF
CITIES WERE CREATING HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSIONS TO ENFORCE
BROWN V EDUCATION, VOTING RIGHTS
ACT, ALL THAT STUFF HAPPENING
BACK IN THE DAY. WHICH
INTERESTINGLY, IT IS ALL BACK.
IF THERE'S EVER A TIME -- THESE
ARE GREAT NOMINEES, BY THE WAY.
THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR. HAVING
THESE KIND OF VOICES IS EXACTLY
-- FUNNY HOW WHEN THINGS CHANGE
THEY ALWAYS STAYED THE SAME. YOU
STILL NEED THESE VOICES AND
THESE FOLKS. THE ONE THING I
ALWAYS LIKED ABOUT THE SEATTLE
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IS I
ALWAYS CALLED IT THE GATEWAY
COMMISSION. IT IS THE ONE YOU
WANT TO GET ON, BECAUSE THERE IS
SO MUCH GOING ON. YOU CAN HAVE
TENTACLES EVERYWHERE. HOUSING,
RENTERS, HOMELESSNESS, PUBLIC
SAFETY YOU USUALLY GET REALLY
GOOD PHOTOS, BECAUSE THEY ALL
VOLUNTEER, THAT HAVE A VOICE,
THEY CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.
NOT JUST THEIR DISTRICT. CARE
ABOUT GENERAL CITYWIDE GLOBAL
ISSUES, NATIONAL ISSUES,
REGIONAL ISSUES. AND THESE
PACKETS ARE WONDERFUL. AGAIN,
THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, MADAME
CHAIR, FOR YOUR APPOINTMENTS,
AND CERTAINLY, MAYOR WILSON, FOR
HER APPOINTMENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL
MEMBER JUAREZ. COUNCILMEMBER
RINCK.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I JUST
WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK
THE FOLKS WHO CAME BEFORE US
ONLINE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR
TAKING THE TIME TO APPLY, AND
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS
TO SERVE ON THIS COMMISSION.
I'M REALLY EXCITED TO BE
WORKING WITH YOU. YOU BRING
INCREDIBLE EXPERTISE, AND I AM
JUST REALLY EXCITED TO VOTE YES
ON YOUR APPOINTMENTS TODAY.
THANK YOU.
>> GREAT. FANTASTIC. THANK YOU
SO MUCH, COLLEAGUES. I
APPRECIATE THAT. I WILL GO AHEAD
AND MOVE THAT THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION OF
APPOINTMENTS 03 -- 03505,
THROUGH 03507. IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO
RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION OF THE
APPOINTMENTS. ARE THERE ANY
FURTHER COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT.
SEEING NONE. WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THE
RECOMMENDATION TO CONFIRM THE
APPOINTMENTS?
>> [ ROLL CALL ] THERE ARE THREE
VOTES IN FAVOR AND NONE OPPOSED.
>> FANTASTIC. THE MOTION
CARRIES. THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION -- THERE IS A
PLOT HAPPENING IN CHAMBERS FOR
OUR GUESTS WITH US ONLINE.
REALLY EXCITED. THE MOTION
CARRIES, AND THE COMMITTEE
RECOGNITION THAT THE APPOINTMENT
BE CONFIRMED WILL BE SENT TO THE
JUNE 2, 2026 SEATTLE CITY
COUNCIL MEETING. AND AGAIN,
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO OUR
COMMISSIONERS AND SEBASTIAN FROM
OCR FOR JOINING US. WITH THAT,
WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE NEXT
ITEM ON THE COMMITTEE AGENDA. IT
IS A DAY OF APPOINTMENTS HERE.
WILL THE CLERK PLEASE READ ITEM
4 INTO THE RECORD?
>> AGENDA ITEM 4, APPOINTMENT
03508, APPOINTMENT OF THOMAS
GEFFNER AS MEMBER OF SEATTLE
SOCIAL HOUSING PUBLIC
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY GOVERNING
COUNCIL FOR TERM TO MAY 2022 --
MAY 22, 2020 SECOND. FOR
BREATHING, DISCUSSION AND
POSSIBLE THOUGH.
>> FANTASTIC. THANK YOU. I WOULD
LIKE TO INVITE UP TO THE TABLE
THOMAS GEFFNER, WHO INTRODUCED
HIMSELF. BEFORE HE BEGINS, I
WILL JUST TAKE A BRIEF MOMENT TO
SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. I AM REALLY
EXCITED TO BRING FORTH AND
CONSIDER THOMAS FOR THIS ROLE
AND THIS APPOINTMENT ON THE
SEATTLE SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPER
FORD. AS WE LOOK TO ENSURE THAT
THE SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPER IS
SUCCESSFUL AND DELIVERS ON THE
PROMISE OF PERMANENTLY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CITY.
AS WE DISCUSSED AT OUR LAST
MEETING, WE WILL BE CONSIDERING
A RESOLUTION AT A FUTURE MEETING
TO ADOPT CHANGES TO THE SOCIAL
HOUSING CHARTER, AND WE HAVE
BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE
BOARD TO DO SO. WEEDING AFTER
THIS APPOINTMENT, MY OFFICE
SPOKE WITH OVER A DOZEN LEADERS
IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PROVIDER SPACE, QUITTING MEETING
WITH STAFF AT THE SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER AND MEMBERS OF THE
BOARD, TO UNDERSTAND WHAT KIND
OF EXPERTISE IS NEEDED. IT WAS
ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT WE SHOULD
PRIORITIZE SOMEONE WITH
EXPERIENCE IN FINANCING FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
GIVEN THE UNIQUE MODEL OF SOCIAL
HOUSING AND HOW IT IS FUNDED,
OUR OFFICE POLICE, I BELIEVE, IT
IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THAT
THIS PERSON HAS AN UNDERSTANDING
AND EXPERIENCE IN ACQUISITION,
AS WELL AS BUILDING NONPROFIT
AND MARKET RATE HOUSING IN OUR
CITY. THOMAS BRINGS EXPERIENCE
IN ACQUISITIONS AND DEVELOPMENT
AT GREAT EXPECTATIONS, AS WELL
AS COMMUNITY ROUTES HOUSING. HE
ALSO HAS VERY EXCITING ACADEMIC
AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER
EXPERIENCE. I WILL SAY I WAS
IMPRESSED WITH OUR CONVERSATIONS
BUT HOW YOU STICK ABOUT FOR
SERVICE AND THE ROLE OF THE
SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPER. I AM
VERY EXCITED TO BRING THOMAS
FORWARD . YOU RECEIVED
MATERIALS. I THINK I AM GOING TO
HEAD OVER TO COLLEAGUES TO SEE
IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS FOR
THOMAS. THOMAS, WOULD YOU LIKE
TO SHARE A FEW WORDS ABOUT
YOURSELF AND WHY YOU ARE EXCITED
TO SERVE ON THE BOARD?
>> OF COURSE. FIRST, THANK YOU
SO MUCH, COUNCILMEMBER FOSTER,
FOR THE KIND WORDS, AND THE REST
OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR
CONSIDERING ME FOR THIS
APPOINTMENT. IT IS A HUGE ON A.
I HAVE DEDICATED MY CAREER TO
THE FURTHERANCE OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING IN SEATTLE, THE CITY I
GREW UP IN. THAT STARTED IN THE
TRADITIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT SPACE. I WORK THE
COMMUNITY ROUTES HOUSING AND
OTHER GROUPS BUILDING HERE IN
WAS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
OVERSEEING THE WHOLE PHASE OF
DEVELOPMENT FROM FINANCING
THROUGH CONSTRUCTION. AS I DID
THIS WORK, I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY
TO ADVANCE MORE THAN 2000
AFFORDABLE HOMES HERE IN SEATTLE
AND THE NORTHWESTERN UNITED
STATES. I STARTED TO FEEL LIKE
THERE WAS A NEED FOR NEW MODELS
TO HELP SUPPLEMENT THE EXISTING
AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCK. THAT
LED ME TO TAKE A SABBATICAL TO
SEEK A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE. I
WENT TO UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
WHERE I STUDIED GLOBAL HOUSING
POLICY AND REAL ESTATE. I LOOKED
AT THE SOCIAL HOUSING MODELS IN
DENMARK , VIENNA AND THE UK AND
TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE COULD
BRING BACK FROM THESE MODELS
HERE TO SEATTLE . SINCE I
RETURNED TO THE CITY, I HAVE
BEEN WITH GREAT EXPECTATIONS,
AND WE ARE A NEW SORT OF
AFFORDABLE DEVELOPER. WE TRY TO
ANSWER THE QUESTION, HOW CAN WE
BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHOUT
PUBLIC SUBSIDY? THAT LOOKS LIKE
BRINGING IN CORPORATE
PHILANTHROPY, OTHER PRIVATELY
MOTIVATED AND MISSION DRIVEN
INVESTORS, AND SEEKING NEW
PARTNERSHIPS. IN MY ROLE TODAY,
I AM PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR
FINDING AND SOURCING NEW
ACQUISITION PROJECTS FOR US.
LEADING THE CAPITAL STACK
FORMATION, REALLY FOCUSED ON
FINANCE AND HOW FINANCE CAN BE A
TOOL TO ADVANCE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING SOLUTIONS. TREMENDOUSLY
EXCITED ABOUT THE SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER. I THINK THIS IS A
REALLY ONCE IN A GENERATION
OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING
GREAT FOR THE CITY I WOULD LOVE
TO BE PART OF THE BOARD AND
PROVIDE THE KNOWLEDGE AND
EXPERTISE I BUILT IN THE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPACE TO HELP
FURTHER THE GOALS OF THE SOCIAL
HOUSING DEVELOPER. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT
OVERVIEW. I AM GLAD YOU SPOKE TO
YOUR EXPERIENCE AND YOUR STUDIES
IN EUROPE . AND CONGRATULATIONS
ON THAT DEGREE, WHICH IS REALLY
EXCITING. I WILL JUST ASK ONE
QUESTION AND CHECK WITH
COLLEAGUES TO SEE IF THEY HAVE
FURTHER QUESTIONS. I WOULD LOVE
TO HEAR YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT HOW YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR
ROLE AS A NEW BOARD MEMBER TO AN
ORGANIZATION THAT IS IN A REALLY
EXCITING AND PIVOTAL MOMENT.
>> YEAH, I MEAN, IT TRULY IS AN
EXCITING AND PIVOTAL MOMENT. I
GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH
CURRENT CEO TIFFANY McCOY AND
LEARN HOW SHE IS LOOKING AT THE
ORGANIZATION. COMING IN AS A NEW
BOARD MEMBER, FIRST AND
FOREMOST, I THINK MY ROLE IS TO
LISTEN. THE BOARD IS
TREMENDOUSLY DIVERSE AND HAS A
WEALTH OF PERSPECTIVES FROM THE
GREEN NEW DEAL AND ORGANIZED
LABOR AND FROM THE RENTERS
COMMISSION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT I HEAR ALL THEIR VOICES AND
UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE TRYING
TO DO WITH THIS ORGANIZATION.
THAT I REALLY WANT TO SERVE AS A
SOUNDING BOARD, AS A PERSON WHO
HAS REALLY SEEN DEVELOPMENT FROM
BEGINNING TO END AND SEE WHAT
CAN GO WRONG, AND ALSO WHAT CAN
GO RIGHT. YOU KNOW, HELPING
PEOPLE ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
TO EVALUATE THE PROJECTS THE
SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPER PURSUES
IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME. LIKE
YOU SAID, IT IS A PIVOTAL
MOMENT. I THINK THERE'S A
CHANCE TO EARN LEGITIMACY OF
VOTERS BY SHOWING WHAT THE
HOUSING DEVELOPER CAN DO, AND I
JUST WANT TO HELP MAKE THAT
HAPPEN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, THOMAS.
COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS?
COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ.
>> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK
YOU THOMAS FOR YOUR WORK AND THE
APPOINTMENT PROCESS. I
UNDERSTAND THIS IS YOUR
APPOINTMENT, CORRECT? WITH THE
HOUSING EXPERIENCE, YOU KNOW, WE
HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK WITH
HOUSING. A REALLY GOOD CIVIC
HOUSING PARTNER IN OUR FAMILY OF
PUBLIC HOUSING. THIS IS KIND OF
LIKE -- THIS IS A HIGHER LEVEL
FOR YOU IT LOOKS LIKE MAYBE , I
DON'T WANT IS A HIGHER LEVEL,
BUT I AM TRYING TO GET A SENSE
OF WHAT YOU ANTICIPATE WITH YOUR
GREAT EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
INVOLUNTARILY LEADING COMMUNITY
HOUSING AND COMING BACK FROM
WHAT YOU LEARNED, WHAT YOU
ANTICIPATE BRINGING BESIDES JUST
LIKE -- YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT
VIENNA. WILL PEOPLE DO THAT
STUFF, I HAVE TO SAY, WE ARE NOT
L.A., WE ARE NOT DENMARK. FOR
SEATTLE SPECIFIC AND THE
SENSIBILITIES FOR OUR CITY AND
HOUSING, KIND OF WHAT YOUR
BROADER PERSPECTIVE IS.
>> IT IS A GREAT POINT. IT IS
SOMETHING WE ASK WE TALKED A LOT
ABOUT WHEN I WAS STUDYING. YOU
CAN'T JUST TAKE A SOLUTION THAT
WORKS IN CITY A AND ASSUME IT IS
GOING TO WORK IN CITY B. I THINK
FOR ME THE FOCUS IS ON THE
FUNDAMENTALS. THERE ARE WAYS YOU
CAN SET UP THE FINANCING FOR
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THIS TO HELP
ENSURE LONG-TERM DURABILITY.
THAT WOULD BE MY GOAL. I THINK
THE REASON THE HOUSING MODEL IN
DENMARK HAS EXCEEDED IS THE WAY
THEY SET UP THE BOND FINANCING
FOR THEIR SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER. THAT IS SOMETHING WE
COULD TRANSLATE TO HEAR --
>> I THOUGHT WE WERE DOING THAT.
>> WE ARE NOW. I THINK THE
CHARTER AMENDMENT THAT IS
ADVANCING NOW IS GOING TO CHANGE
THAT.
>> RIGHT. YOU UNDERSTAND HOW
THAT , OBVIOUSLY, HOW THAT PEACE
WORKS BUT IT IS VERY, VERY
IMPORTANT.
>> INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. AND
OFTEN OVERLOOKED DETAIL. THERE
ARE OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO IN
THE WAY THAT YOU CAN SET UP
RESERVES SO EACH PROJECT IS
PAYING A NEW FUND, AND THAT
SUPPORTS IF THERE IS ANY BIG
EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE THAT NEEDS
TO HAPPEN. ALL THESE LITTLE
DETAILS CAN BE TRANSLATED TO
SEATTLE. AS IT COMES TO THE
SPECIFICS OF OUR CITY AND
CULTURE, I THINK THAT IS WHERE,
LISTENING TO THE REST OF THE
BOARD AND TO THE CURRENT STAFF
MEMBERS, COMES INTO PLAY SO WE
CAN SHAPE THE END PRODUCT AROUND
WHAT OUR LOCAL NEEDS ARE.
>> I AM HOPING -- I HAVE SIX
MONTHS LEFT IN THIS JOB. ONE
THING I AM HOPING TO SEE BEFORE
I GO, AND I KNOW -- I AM GLAD I
DON'T WANT TO GET TOO NERDY ON
PUBLIC FINANCING AND TAX-EXEMPT
FINANCING, IS MAKING SURE THAT
SOCIAL HOUSING IS, INDEED,
LABELED AS A CRITICAL OR
ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTION.
BECAUSE THAT IS THE ONLY WAY A
CITY OR GOVERNMENT CAN ISSUE
DEBT AT A LOW INTEREST RATE TO
PAY FOR THESE TYPE OF
STRUCTURES. EVEN THOUGH IT
SOUNDS WONKY, LIKE WHAT YOU WERE
SAYING, IT IS INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT. IF YOU CAN'T GO INTO
THE MARKETPLACE WITH
GOVERNMENT-BACKED BONDS TO BUILD
HOUSING -- AND I THINK RAISING
THAT WITH THE KING COUNTY
REGIONAL HOMELESS AUTHORITY.
THAT IS ANOTHER ISSUE. MY.IS, I
AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING
YOUR EXPERTISE ON THIS BOARD AND
THE FINANCING PIECE, HOW WE
BRING ALL THIS TO FRUITION AND
MAKE IT A STAPLE WITHIN, NOT
ONLY OUR BUDGET, BUT HOW WE GO
AND FUND SOCIAL HOUSING
PROJECTS. BECAUSE I DON'T THINK
THE PUBLIC IN THE CONVERSATION
HAS BEEN AS IN-DEPTH AS I WOULD
LIKE. I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT
YOUR APPOINTMENT AND THE DEPTH
OF EXPERIENCE TO BRING TO THE
FINANCING PIECE.
>> THANK YOU. IT IS WONKY AND
HARD TO UNDERSTAND.
>> I LIKE IT, THOUGH.
>> I KNOW. THAT IS WHY I WANT TO
TRY TO HELP.
>> GOOD FOR YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCIL
MEMBER JUAREZ. THEY WANT TO
CLARIFY, I KNOW WHEN YOU WERE
SPEAKING TO THOMAS'S
EXPERIENCES, YOU MENTIONED
VOLUNTEER WORK. THOMAS WAS
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT COMMUNITY
HOUSING. I WANTED TO CLARIFY
THAT ONE FOR THE RECORD BRIEFLY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> ABSOLUTELY. IN TERMS OF THE
FINANCING COMPONENT, WE ARE
LOOKING FORWARD TO BRINGING
FORTH A RECOMMENDED CHANGE ON
THE FINANCING, WHICH WE EXPECT
TO HAVE IN OUR NEXT COMMITTEE
MEETING. SO YOU ARE RIGHT ON
TIME , COUNCILMEMBER JUAREZ. THE
ONLY OTHER THING I WOULD ADD
INTO THE CONVERSATION THAT I
THINK IS LESS ABOUT YOUR
QUALIFICATIONS, THOMAS, BUT MORE
ABOUT THE MOMENT WE ARE IN, IS
IT THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS ALSO
BROUGHT ON A NUMBER OF STAFF
MEMBERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE AND
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. WE
HAVE BEEN EXCITED TO SEE THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THAT EXPERIENCE,
NOT JUST AT THE BOARD LEVEL WITH
YOUR APPOINTMENT, BUT ALSO AT
THE STAFF LEVEL WITH SOME OF THE
RECENT HIRES THAT HAVE COME ON.
NOW I AM BLINKING ON THEIR
NAMES. I KNOW GINGER IS ON, AND
THERE IS ANOTHER TOURNAMENT
WHOSE NAME I REMEMBER AS SOON AS
I STEP OFF THE DAIS, I AM SURE.
A FANTASTIC COMBINATION OF
EXPERIENCE ON THE STAFF, AND
THEN YOUR APPOINTMENT WILL ADD
THAT TO THE BOARD. ALL RIGHT.
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I BELIEVE
MY QUESTION IS GOING TO BUILD
OFF OF COUNCIL MEMBER JUAREZ'S
QUESTION RELATED TO THE
FINANCING COMPONENTS. I HAVE
BEEN THINKING AND REFLECTING A
LOT ON THE MOMENT WE ARE IN
RIGHT NOW IN THE AFFORDABLE
HOUSING SECTOR, AND HOW ONE
THING THAT IS PARTICULARLY FRONT
THE MIND IS ONGOING MAINTENANCE
AND OPERATIONS AND HOW WE ARE
FINDING THAT. I AM WONDERING,
WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE FROM
HOUSING TO GREAT EXPECTATIONS,
AND WONDERING HOW YOU ARE
THINKING ABOUT THE UNIQUE
FINANCING MODEL OF THE SOCIAL
HOUSING DEVELOPER AND
OPPORTUNITIES MORE SUSTAINABLY
ADDRESS THE ONGOING MAINTENANCE
AND OPERATIONS NEEDS. THAT IS A
VERY WONKY CUSHION, BUDDY INVITE
YOU TO SHARE ANY THOUGHTS YOU
MAY HAVE ON THAT TOPIC.
>> SUCH A GREAT QUESTION. IT
GETS AT THE HEART OF THE CURRENT
MOMENT. WHEN I WAS AT COMMUNITY
ROOTS, IT WAS A TOUGH TIME FOR
THE ORGANIZATION FOR THAT VERY
REASON. MY PERSPECTIVE RIGHT NOW
IS THAT TIMES OF GOTTEN A LITTLE
BETTER. OPERATING EXPENSES ARE
NOT SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL
LIKE THEY USED TO. IT IS
SOMETHING WE FOCUS ON A LOT IN
MY CURRENT ROLE . WE HAVE AN
AFFILIATED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
COMPANY THAT REALLY TRIES TO
STREAMLINE AND MAKE THINGS
EFFICIENT. THERE IS A LOT THAT
THE SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPER CAN
DO AS IT STARTS TO MANAGE ITS
OWN PROPERTIES. BUT MAKING SURE
THAT STAFF IS THINKING ABOUT THE
LONG-TERM , BECAUSE BUILDINGS TO
FALL APART, AND MAJOR SYSTEMS
THAT ARE NEW TODAY IN 10 OR 15
YEARS ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE
REPLACED. WE JUST HAVE TO
ADEQUATELY PREPARE AN BUDGET AND
BE CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH THAT WE
DON'T GET CAUGHT HOLDING THE
BAG IN THE FUTURE.
>> APPRECIATE THOSE THOUGHTS.
REALLY HELPFUL. TO TAKE US A
LITTLE BIT OFF COURSE, FINAL
QUESTION, IF I MAY. WE HAVE BEEN
TALKING A LOT ABOUT THE
FINANCING, BUT ONE OTHER ELEMENT
OF THE SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPER
-LIKE DOESN'T GET TALKED TO TOO
MUCH ABOUT IS THIS ELEMENT OF
RESIDENCE GOVERNANCE. SOMETHING
INCLUDED IN THE CHARTER. IT IS A
BUDDING PART OF THE WORK AHEAD
OF US NOW THAT THEY HAVE A
BUILDING COMING ONLINE AND
RESIDENTS COMING IN. I'M
WONDERING OF YOUR THOUGHTS AS A
MEMBER TACKLING THAT PIECE. IT
IS A LITTLE NOVEL IN THIS WAY TO
BE BRINGING IN RESIDENTS '
GOVERNANCE FOR THE BODY. I'M
WONDERING ON YOUR THOUGHTS ON
THAT TOPIC.
>> I THINK THAT -- I AM SOMEBODY
WHO BELIEVES IN PUBLIC
EXPERIMENTATION. I THINK TO GET
IT RIGHT, IT IS GOING TO TAKE
LEARNING AND GROWING. IS A NEW
MODEL FOR THE UNITED STATES.
RESIDENT GOVERNANCE HAS WORKED
IN SOME OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT
OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE DIFFERENT
CULTURAL MAKEUP THAN WE DO. YOU
KNOW, IT IS SOMETHING TO FOCUS
ON. I THINK JUST HAVING THE
HUMILITY TO ADMIT WE MIGHT HAVE
TO ADAPT AND CHANGE COURSE IN
ORDER TO KEEP IT ON TRACK IT'S
PROBABLY HOW I WOULD LOOK AT IT
.
>> APPRECIATE THE APPLICABILITY
AND THAT THOUGHT. THANK YOU SO
MUCH. DECIDED TO ADVANCE YOUR
APPOINTMENT.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH,
COUNCILMEMBER RINCK. WHAT I AM
LOVING ABOUT THE QUESTIONS
COMING FORWARD IS THAT MANY OF
THESE WILL BE VOTING ON WHEN WE
LOOK AT THE CHARTER CHANGES WE
ARE LOOKING AT. THERE ARE SOME
CHANGES AROUND GOVERNANCE AT THE
BOARD IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE WE
HAVE A FACE IN AN APPROPRIATE
PROCESS, AS WELL AS SOME
COMPONENTS AROUND RENT AN
OPERATIONAL DOLLARS. ALL OF
THOSE QUESTIONS ARE JUST RIGHT
ON TIME. I AM GOING TO TAKE A
QUICK POINT A PRIVILEGE BECAUSE
I COULDN'T REMEMBER THE NAME
SET OF, BOARD AT THE STAFF
LEVEL. I HAVE A FANTASTIC CLERK
WAS HELPED REMIND ME. WE'VE
ALSO BROUGHT ON JAMES AS
DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITIONS, THE
FORMER PORTFOLIO STRATEGIST FOR
SEATTLE HOUSING AUTHORITY,
MICHAEL ON DESIGN A POLICY, WHO
HAS DONE FANTASTIC WORK ON
DESIGNING CLIMATE FRIENDLY
NEIGHBORHOODS, AND I ALREADY
MENTIONED GINGER, WHO IS NOW THE
CHIEF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
OFFICER FOR THE SOCIAL HOUSING
DEVELOPER, BUT WAS FORMERLY THE
HOUSING DIRECTOR FOR , AS WELL
AS FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR
THE LOW INCOME HOUSING NETWORK.
LOTS OF FANTASTIC EXPERTISE AT
THE STAFF LEVEL I WANTED TO
BRIEFLY SPEAK TO. WE ARE ALSO
LOOKING AT THE EXPERIENCE WOULD
BRING TO THE BOARD LEVEL.
COLLEAGUES, WITH THAT, ANY
FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT.
FANTASTIC. WITH THAT, AND THANK
YOU SO MUCH THOMAS, I MOVE THE
COMMITTEE RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION
OF APPOINTMENT 03508. IS THERE A
SECOND?
>> SECOND.
>> IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO
RECOMMEND CONFIRMATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT. ARE THERE ANY
FURTHER COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT.
SEEING NONE . WE WILL THE CLERK
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL A
RECOMMENDATION TO CONFIRM?
>> [ ROLL CALL ] THERE ARE THREE
VOTES IN FAVOR AND NONE OPPOSED.
>> FANTASTIC. THE MOTION
CARRIES. THE COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION THAT THE
APPOINTMENT BE CONFIRMED WILL BE
SENT TO THE JUNE 2, 2026 SEATTLE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING. THANK YOU
SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WITH THAT, IS
THERE ANY FURTHER BUSINESS TO
COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TODAY?
ALL RIGHT. SEEING NONE. THIS
CONCLUDES THE MAY 27, 2026
MEETING OF THE HOUSING, ARTS AND
CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE . THE
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING IS ON
JUNE 10. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
ATTENDING IT IS TO:36 P.M., AND
WE ARE ADJOURNED.