Content:

Current Issues:

• Trans fat regulation and nutrition detail on menus


Economic Development & Neighborhoods:

• Neighborhood Plan Update
• Beacon Hill Light Rail Station
• Neighborhoods & Nightlife
• Farmers Markets
• National Night Out Against Crime 2007


Random Thoughts:

• City Neighborhood Council's 20th Anniversay celebration


Calendars:

• Economic Development & Neighborhoods Committee Meetings
• District Council Meetings
• Neighborhood Events

"Inter*Im's 32nd Annual Pig Roast" started Friday night with the initial turn of the pig over the spit in the Danny Woo Garden. Sally stopped in at 9:30 a.m. Saturday to give the pig a few turns with Brent Butler.

The pig roast is an annual event and helps feed the elderly and low income residents of the Chinatown - I.D. neighborhood. Sally also met with "Uncle Bob" Santos, the 2007 King Neptune of Seafair. Volunteers join Uncle Bob Santos throughout the night to baste and turn. Sponsors of the Pig Roast include: Costco Wholesale, The Danny Woo Family, International Community Health Services (ICHS), Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), Viet Wah Supermarket, Uwajimaya, and The Wing Luke Asian Museum.

Return to Index

Current Issues:

Trans fat regulation and nutrition detail on menus

First, let me say right off the bat that I want you to have a French fry or a doughnut if you want one (or seventeen). I just would prefer that the thousands of fries you eat over your life don’t kill you and crush the public health system.

As a member of the Seattle-King County Board of Health I served on the Nutrition & Menu Labeling sub-committee. Over the past couple of months we’ve reviewed the public health argument for regulating what kind of oil restaurants use when cooking your food and how much nutrition information chain restaurants provide you when you order. Studies show that we all eat out a lot more than our parents and grandparents ever did. In fact, in 2002 Americans spent 46 percent of our total food budgets on food away from home, compared to spending 27 percent in 1962. Almost half the time many of us do not think about how to build a healthy meal, and we don’t control how much is served to us. We rely upon restaurants to do that. We purchase convenience and indulgence, and we eat too much – too many calories, sodium and carbohydrates, and too much “bad” fat.

Last week, the Board of Health took two actions: we banned trans fats totally in King County restaurants; and required chain restaurants to tell you how many calories, sodium, carbs and fat come with the Big-Deluxe-Extreme-Bacon-Cheese-Taco-Burger you like so much. The new rules take effect in 2008.

Artificial trans fats are processed fats that do not occur in nature (also called hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fat/oil). Used in baked goods like doughnuts, breads, crackers, potato chips, cookies and many other processed food products like margarine and salad dressings, it is a vegetable oil that has been treated with hydrogen in order to make it more solid and give it a longer shelf life. Research suggests a correlation between diets high in trans fats and diseases like atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, and the National Academy of Sciences recommended in 2002 that dietary intake of trans fatty acids be minimized.

Many Seattle restaurants (Ivar’s, for instance) have already expelled trans fats from their restaurants and some national chains are seeing the light (Burger King just announced it will kick out trans fats by the end of 2008).

No one likes government banning anything, but trans fats seem a compelling case. There are plenty of poisons we ban from our food. We don’t let people choose between fish with mercury and fish without. Trans fat seemed like a great innovation at one time. Now we know better.

The second and perhaps more controversial action from the perspective on the restaurant lobbyists is requiring calorie counts be posted on menu boards and additional nutrition counts on menus. In New York City, where posting calorie numbers on the overhead menu board just became a requirement at the start of July, the restaurant association has filed suit to fry the requirement. Critics say the calorie count makes the menu board look messy and is an infringement on the restaurant’s free speech.

New menus and nutritional content testing are real business cost, that is true. If obesity and resulting health effects (like diabetes and heart disease) weren’t such huge problems in this country, we probably wouldn’t be considering this subject at all. Under normal circumstances why should government care what’s posted on a menu board as long as it isn’t fraudulent? I believe that it is up to you to choose what you’re eating. However, because you and I eat out a whole lot more often than we used to, we need information in order to make smart choices.

We also need to match our policies to our rhetoric. If we are concerned about health, health disparities, and the crumbling health care system, we need to make changes that help keep people healthy.

I want you to have the French fry, but I don’t want the fries to kill you. Order up!

Return to Index

Neighborhood Plan Update Update

Many of you recall that I wrote a commentary for The Seattle Times opinion pages this spring asking what should be done as Seattle’s 38 neighborhood plans enter middle age; how we should grade Seattle’s experience with plan implementation after almost a decade. I’ve heard from a lot of people energized by these questions. I’m happy to say that many people in the Mayor’s Office have become energized by these questions, too!

At the July 5, 2007 Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee (ED&N), Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis, accompanied by Stella Chao, director of the Department of Neighborhoods (DON) and Diane Sugimura, director of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), gave a briefing on the proposed approach and schedule for updating Neighborhood Plans.

The deputy mayor outlined a process whereby the city would be divided into six areas (perhaps sectors) with update work happening on the plans in a sector over the course of a year. The Department of Planning and Development would lead the effort with outreach help from the Department of Neighborhoods. DPD would begin by presenting a “base conditions” report on what has happened in the planning areas with respect to the growth targets and projects from the plan and other initiatives intended. No neighborhood would be forced to update its plan, but each planning area would be encouraged to standardize the elements of their plan to make the plans structurally more consistent across the city. The whole update process would take six years.

Everyone at the table agreed that updating the neighborhood plans cannot “meeting people to death” and should involve a more diverse range of participants than the ones at the table 10 years ago. This was hard work for neighborhood groups 10 years ago and will be hard work again.

I appreciate the effort that has gone into thinking out this proposal. I have sat in on two large-scale brainstorming sessions held with Mayor’s Office staff and key department staff. There are a lot of very smart and community-oriented people around the table. However, the community has been missing from this brainstorming. The Mayor’s Office is looking to build a sounding board to advise on their proposal before they build a budget for it and propose that as part of the 2008 city budget. I’ll be looking for input from all of you as we at the Council determine whether the proposal is sound.

My priority is that we ensure any neighborhood plan updates are truly community-driven; that we carry through the commitment to grassroots, democratic planning that was integral to the success of planning 10 years ago. I don’t want to “meeting people to death,” but there’s no substitute for community drive and debate.

Return to Index

Beacon Hill Light Rail Station

Sally and Councilmember Jan Drago toured Sound Transit’s Beacon Hill Light Rail Station Friday, July 20.  After being lowered 160 feet into the ground, Sally and Jan picked their way through concrete, rebar and plywood to watch the ongoing finishing of the station platforms.  The form pictured above is a mold for concrete that is pumped between the outside of the mold and a waterproof membrane that lines the cavern.  One full tunnel has been bored, and the tunnel boring machine has just started the second.  Light Rail service is slated to start in 2009.

Return to Index

Neighborhoods & Nightlife

Regrettably, the shooting of a young woman on Western Ave. in Belltown near closing time on July 2 focused attention on the bad things that can come along with Seattle’s great nightlife. We want a nightlife that’s exciting, creative, sustainable, and safe - that’s part of being an attractive place to live, and we must do what we can to support that part of our city.

Almost all bars, dance clubs and live music spots in Seattle run good businesses and their staff are skilled at throwing a party six nights a week (or more) without anyone getting hurt. Almost all. The problem is that every year there seem to be one or two clubs (out of hundreds in Seattle) that either cannot control violence in their establishments or, some critics would say, welcome violent people into their clubs. Police reports show that over the last three years many clubs have at least one fight or assault reported inside. While this is not good, it is hard to blame a club for some jerk’s random bad behavior. Unfortunately, each year one or two clubs in town build a track record of multiple incidents of fighting, assaults, brandishing of weapons and even shootings. Three years ago it was Mr. Lucky’s. In 2005 it was Larry’s and then the Mantra Lounge last year.

The need for dealing effectively with chronic problem establishments is the reason why I support a limited license for larger clubs. It would give the City a tool to force bad actors to clean up their acts or lose their license. The Mayor has a similar proposal that addresses violence, but I think it reaches too far. A club should only lose its license if it allowes multiple acts of violence inside the club within a specified period of time.

If the Council can't embrace a limited nightlife license, then my job is to put together the most effective alternative package possible. I think we have a very good package taking shape, one that will sharpen enforcement tools around noise and serious nuisances, commit more people to enforcement, and bring together bar owners and neighbors to advise the city on an ongoing basis.

Noise – We’ve heard loud and clear in every meeting that noise from clubs is a huge issue for neighborhoods. The goal of addressing club noise should be to help get the business into compliance and solve the problem, not to shut anyone down. That’s why I’m introducing legislation that would penalize clubs for excessive noise after the club has had an opportunity to meet the new noise standards. The City will use a noise meter to determine if clubs are generating more noise than allowed. If so, the club will get one warning. The next incident will cost them $1,000, which could go toward soundproofing. Then all future noise violations would carry a $2,000 ticket each. The idea is to send a clear message that clubs must be responsible for their noise.

Nuisance – Under the proposal we’re considering legal action could be brought against a club for repeated occupancy violations. The overall goal is to help a club run a safe, successful business. Legal action is a last resort after repeated attempts to work with a club.

Enforcement – I support having City staff working at night to enforce the noise code and monitor for other possible infractions. Currently, at night police officers are on the hook for noise calls regarding businesses. This system doesn’t work because officers are – and should be – busy with higher priority calls for help. Sharing noise code enforcement with a civilian team means someone is actually available to respond to a noise complaint and police officers can stay focused on 911 calls.

Nightlife Advisory Board - This board -- made up of citizens, representatives from the music industry and other related experts -- could provide the City with recommendations about how to resolve disputes between clubs and neighbors, support the nightclub industry and curb violence.

Council has worked on this issue for close to five months. My hope is that a package of legislation can be created and reviewed at the next meeting of the Economic Development and Neighborhoods Committee on July 27, 9:30 a.m. We’ll also have a time for public comment at that meeting, in City Hall Council Chambers.

Return to Index

Farmers Markets

Have you been out to a neighborhood farmers market yet this year? The popularity of our farmers markets is increasing annually. Counting the 100 year-old Pike Place Market, Seattle now has farmers markets in 12 neighborhoods. These markets help small farmers; they build up our neighborhood business districts; and they offer locally-grown organic produce and encourage the preservation of local farmland. And the food is delicious!

One of the biggest challenges to the markets is finding and keeping a location. Think about it. Your favorite market probably setsup on a parking lot leased from or donated by a private owner, who is also entertaining bids from people who want to build condos. I love seeing the new homes come into Seattles’ inventory, but the loss of a particular parking lot can impacts the farmer’s market food chain. Three markets -- Columbia City, Capitol Hill and Lake City -- will lose their current sites within the next two years.

I am working with the City’s Office of Economic Development (OED) and the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance to find new sites for these markets before they lose their current locations. We may end up looking creatively at street closures and park space. Farmers markets bring enormous public benefit to our neighborhoods. I think we can measure that public benefit and justify waiving or offsetting fees normally associated with using street right-of-way and park property.

Return to Index

A reminder about National Night Out Against Crime 2007. It is Tuesday, August 7. This is a great opportunity to get your neighbors together for a potluck, meet each other and forge friendships that make your neighborhood stronger, safer and healthier throughout the year. The neighbors you haven't yet met? Invite them to the potluck. Better connected neighbors watch out for each other and deter crime. Click here to register your block or group for Night Out on-line. If you want to close your street off for the party, you can indicate that on the registration form. The deadline to register your group for Night Out is Friday, July 27.

Return to Index

City Neighborhood Council's 20th Anniversary celebration

The City Neighborhood Council, the umbrella group for the city’s 13 district councils (which are the umbrella groups for your particular community council or business chamber) celebrated its 20th anniversary July 14. Both the event itself and the location were great.

CNC held the celebratory potluck at the Jefferson Park Lawn Bowling Club, a gem of a spot hidden behind the Jefferson Park Golf Clubhouse. The Lawn Bowling Club has a fantastic view northwest to the city and a huge following in the central and south parts of Seattle. Chuck Caddy manages the place, including the great care taken with managing the natural grass courts. The Jefferson Club (there is a sister club at Woodland Park) has very shrewdly courted a younger, newer crowd of converts to lawn bowling. According to Chuck, the men’s team (Men with Big Bowls) and the women’s team (Bowl Busters) count approximately 40 members each. The club opens up Friday evenings for open bowling and barbecue on the patio. It’s worth checking out.

That CNC celebrates its 20th anniversary this year is an amazing testament to Seattle’s neighborhood-strong history. CNC plays many roles: it advises the city, it prioritizes projects for certain funding, it watchdogs, and it simply brings people together to share information. It labors with the same challenges most member community councils do. It’s not a structure that attracts or retains people of color or lower-income people. It’s also, frankly, a lot of work to participate. That means that sometimes there isn’t a very deep bench from which to draw new leadership.

The people who do step forward to regularly attend a community council or chamber, who then step up to represent at the district level, and then go beyond to sit at the CNC table, do incredible work. Thank you and happy 20th anniversary to the CNC!

Return to Index

It seemed like a great idea to go to the Roosevelt Bull Moose Festival Pancake Breakfast Saturday, July 21. Then again, no one expects to get locked up by the SeaFair Pirates.

You have received this newsletter because you have contacted our office with a comment and suggestion. To unsubscribe, please reply to the email with the word 'unsubscribe' in the subject line.

Seattle City Hall
600 4th Ave. 2nd Floor
Seattle, WA

Mailing Address:
PO Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025

Phone: 206.684.8888
Fax: 206.684.8587
TTY/TDD: 206.233.0025
Listen Line: 206.684.8566