Seattle City Council Meeting – April 21, 2026

The Seattle City Council met on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 2:03 PM in the Council Chamber, City Hall, with Council President Joy Hollingsworth presiding. Eight members were present (Foster, Hollingsworth, Juarez, Kettle, Lin, Rinck, Rivera, Saka); Councilmember Strauss was excused. The meeting lasted until 2:44 PM and included public comment, adoption of the consent calendar, and a committee report on an honorary street naming resolution.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of April 14, 2026 (Min 5641) – Adopted by unanimous vote (8-0).
• Council Bill 121198 – An ordinance appropriating money to pay claims for the week of April 6–10, 2026, and ordering payment thereof – Passed on the consent calendar by unanimous vote (8-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Twelve speakers addressed the Council (8 in person, 4 online). Key positions expressed:

• Joe Kunzler – Urged the Council to condemn anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, referencing an incident at a University of Washington event featuring Miss Israel 2021 that was canceled due to death threats.
• Paul Tomlinson (Together for Seattle) – Described the group’s work to build community relationships and expressed interest in engaging with the new Director of Neighborhoods.
• Scott Buzzard (American Party of Labor) – Criticized the Council and SPD for alleged violence against protesters at a pro-Israel event, accusing the city of failing to hold police accountable.
• Patrick McKee – Called for an immediate moratorium on data centers after Seattle City Light received requests for five large-scale facilities totaling 369 megawatts; linked a data center company to ICE contracts and urged a moratorium on “Trump regime collaborators.”
• Kim Wilson – Thanked the Council for fostering a welcoming city and prayed for their continued respect and diversity.
• Wendy Yim – Pleaded with the Council to hold Virginia Mason accountable for violations at the Bailey Boucher House low-barrier shelter, citing overflow, safety incidents, and lack of adherence to good neighbor agreements.
• Peter Manning (Black Excellence Canada) – Asked the Council to help reestablish Black-owned dispensaries removed in 2015 and expressed concern about Mayor Wilson’s perceived lack of engagement with the Black community, as well as inequitable placement of security cameras ahead of FIFA events.
• David Haines – Criticized crime in Pioneer Square, alleging police avoidance and unsafe conditions, and called for redevelopment of the area.
• David S. – Described harassment and threats at a pro-Israel event at Town Hall, blamed anti-Semitism on city policies, and referenced the 2023 ceasefire resolution.
• Howard Gale – Highlighted three police killings of African Americans in crisis (Sean Lee Fur, Terry Caver, Ryan Smith) and urged the Council to attend upcoming inquests and reform use-of-force policies.
• Yvette Dinish – Questioned the cost ($35,000 per unit) of Mayor Wilson’s plan to build 500 shelter units and suggested cheaper alternatives like manufactured housing.
• Nathan Wall – Expressed strong support for full implementation of Sound Transit 3 (West Seattle to Ballard), arguing it is a climate necessity and voters have approved it three times.
• Bennett Haselton – Offered a counter-narrative to a previous speaker, stating that the majority of protests at the Town Hall event focused on Israel’s actions in Gaza, not anti-Semitism, and that SPD used excessive force against protesters.
• Josalyn Ford (Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle) – Thanked Councilmember Saka and Council President Hollingsworth for championing the honorary street naming for Dr. RL Manaway Sr., describing his legacy in the Central District.

Discussion Items

Committee Report – Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee

• Resolution Res 32195 – Providing an honorary designation of South Jackson Street between 28th Avenue South and 29th Avenue South as “Dr. RL Manaway, Sr. Way.”
  • Councilmember Saka (committee chair) moved adoption, noting the unanimous committee vote (3-0).
  • Council President Hollingsworth, sponsor of the resolution, praised Dr. Manaway’s 43 years of leadership at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, his community work, and the collaborative support from Councilmember Saka.
  • Councilmember Juarez (Warez) added remarks about the historic alliance between Black churches and Native American civil rights struggles.

Key Outcomes

• Adoption of Resolution Res 32195 – Passed by unanimous vote (8-0). The President signed the resolution.
• Consent Calendar adopted – Minutes and CB 121198 approved unanimously.
• Introduction and Referral Calendar (IRC 520) – Adopted by unanimous consent.
• Agenda approved – Unanimous consent.
• Next meeting – Scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 2:00 PM.