Seattle News and Events for Oct. 13-19, 2016

Mayor Murray Sends Police Accountability Reform Package to Federal Judge

This week, Mayor Ed Murray and the City of Seattle filed draft legislation for Seattle Police Department (SPD) accountability reform with U.S. District Court Judge James Robart for review. The legislation is a collaborative product of months-long discussions with the Community Police Commission, Federal Monitor Merrick Bobb, the City and many other stakeholders. The proposal creates an independent office of Inspector General, transforms the Community Police Commission (CPC) into a permanent body, and increases the scope and independence of SPD’s Office of Professional Accountability (OPA).

The package sent to Judge Robart includes the following key accountability measures:

• Creation of the Office of Inspector General, empowered to review and report on any aspect of SPD’s policies and practices.
• Increases the independence of our Office of Professional Accountability, replacing sworn SPD officers with civilian staff tasked with overseeing all investigations and complaints against officers.
• Makes the CPC a permanent body, ensuring community input is institutionalized into Seattle’s police services.

In August of this year, Judge Robart issued an order ruling that any SPD reform package must be reviewed by the Court before being sent to City Council to ensure the package meets the accountability and transparency requirements agreed to under the 2012 Consent Decree settlement with the Department of Justice. After the Department of Justice reviews and sends comments to Judge Robart, the Court begins its 90-day review period.

At the conclusion of the review period, Mayor Murray will finalize and transmit legislation to the Council.

Seattle Park Board to hold regular meeting October 13

The Seattle Board of Park Commissioners will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 13 at the Van Asselt Community Center, 2820 S Myrtle St. The meeting agenda includes:

Presentation: Community Center Strategic Plan  Presented by Superintendent Aguirre

Public Hearing: Community Center Strategic Plan

Please click here to see the complete agenda.

The Seattle Board of Park Commissioners is a nine-member citizen board created by the City Charter. Four members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council; four members are appointed by the City Council; and one member is a young adult appointed by YMCA Get Engaged. The Board generally meets twice a month, normally on the second and fourth Thursday, to advise the Parks and Recreation Superintendent, the Mayor, and the City Council on parks and recreation matters.

Denny Substation Construction Work Will Impact Denny Way Starting Oct. 14

Seattle City Light is advising drivers and commuters to prepare for five weeks of lane closures on Denny Way between Stewart St. and Minor Ave N, beginning Friday, Oct. 14. Crews will be installing underground utilities for the Denny Substation.

From Friday, Oct. 14, at 11 p.m., to Monday, Oct. 17, at 5 a.m., all lanes on Denny Way will be closed while crews restripe the roadway. After 5 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, Denny Way between Stewart St. and Minor Ave N will be reduced to one lane in each direction 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, for five weeks. On the weekend of Nov. 19 and 20, crews will close all lanes of Denny Way once again in order to restore the roadway to its normal configuration. All lanes on Denny Way will reopen on Monday, Nov. 21.

During the lane closures, travelers on Denny Way and Stewart St. should expect significant delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes. King County Metro Bus 8 will be directly impacted by the closures — the westbound Denny Way and Stewart Street bus stop will be temporarily closed. The eastbound bus stop will remain open, but riders should expect delays.

Seattle City Light is working with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and transit providers to inform travelers about the closures and to discourage the use of the Stewart Street exit from southbound I-5. Access to southbound I-5 from Yale Avenue will be maintained, but drivers should expect delays. Uniformed police officers will be on site to help direct traffic around the work zone.

Project Background: As part of the Denny Substation Program, Seattle City Light is building a new substation (Denny Substation) and underground electrical distribution network (Denny Network) and designing a transmission line (Denny-Massachusetts Transmission Line) that will ensure more reliable power delivery to customers in and beyond the South Lake Union and Denny Triangle neighborhoods. The new substation, located on Denny Way near Stewart St, will be City Light’s first and largest substation in 30 years. The Denny Substation Program will increase system-wide reliability and operational flexibility, achieving a major electrical system upgrade for the city of Seattle. For more information, visit the project website at: www.seattle.gov/light/dennysub

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