OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Seattle City Council Meeting – April 28, 2026: Proclamations, Public Hearing on Detention Moratorium, and Appointments

City Council — Tuesday, April 28, 2026
BodySeattle, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:43:55

Transcript — Verbatim
0:18

Hey, good afternoon.

0:20

Uh, the April 28th meeting of the Seattle City Council City Council will come to order.

0:24

It is 2 02 p.m.

0:26

I'm Council President Joy Hollingsworth.

0:28

Will the clerk please call the rolls?

0:30

Councilmember Kettle.

0:32

Here.

0:33

Councilmember Lynn.

0:35

Here.

0:36

Councilmember Rink.

0:38

Present.

0:39

Councilmember Rafara.

0:41

Present.

0:42

Councilmember Saka.

0:45

Councilmember Foster.

0:47

Here.

0:48

Council President Hollingsworth.

0:50

Here.

0:51

Seven present.

0:52

Awesome.

0:52

And uh Councilmember Wares and Councilmember Strauss are excused for today's meeting.

0:58

Colleagues, we have two proclamations for today, starting with Councilmember Foster, the proclamation recognizing May 1st as International Workers' Day.

1:07

Councilmember Foster, you are recognized off to you for the first start.

1:12

Thank you so much.

1:12

I I thought we were doing uh Councilmember Kettles first.

1:15

Uh so that was, and we're we got a lot of people here for that one.

1:18

I'm just using Bob and I'm having a little joke.

1:20

Bob and I are having a joke.

1:21

Thank you so much, Council President.

1:22

Uh, I really appreciate it.

1:23

I'm really excited to bring this proclamation forth.

1:26

Uh, and I'm really thrilled because every year on May 1st, we celebrate International Workers' Day.

1:31

And I know I see a lot of people in chambers here today who last year I got to see out in marches and who often I get to see in organizing rooms, and we wanted to take this opportunity as a council to honor the work of our labor movement, including our union organizers, including organizers who are organizing with working people every day, and get a chance to acknowledge May Day.

1:51

So, with that, um, you know, I think May Day is not just a moment on a calendar, it is an opportunity for us to reflect on the ongoing struggle for dignity for safety and fair wages for workers everywhere.

2:04

Uh, we know that the work that you do is hard.

2:06

Um, and for so many workers, especially immigrant workers, black and brown workers, workers in low wage sectors, it's not an abstract idea.

2:15

Labor is not an abstract idea.

2:17

It's every day, it's personal, and it's about what moves us forward.

2:21

This proclamation matters because it gets to name that history and that struggle, and it names the work that you all put in day in and day out.

2:29

Um, and we also believe that it's important to say a proclamation alone is not enough.

2:33

We have to continue to organize and take action.

2:36

So we're excited to celebrate May Day, not just here in chambers, but on picket lines, in organizing spaces, and in the continued push for better economic opportunity and better livelihoods for all workers.

2:48

Before we move forward, I want to take a moment to recognize the labor organizers and community with us today.

2:54

If you are a proud union member or part of a worker organization, please stand or raise your hand as you were able so that we can recognize you.

3:04

Thank you.

3:05

Thank you.

3:06

I hope you get a chance to look around and see each other and feel your strength and your power in chambers today.

3:12

Um, I also want to just quickly call out some of the groups that I know are joining us today.

3:15

Please forgive me if I don't have you all on my list.

3:18

There's a lot of fantastic folks down in the lobby, so thank you.

3:22

I see MLK Labor here with us, 350 Seattle, Bayern Washington, International Migrants Alliance, SEIU 775, Starbucks Workers United, Seattle Alliance Against Racism Political Repression, North Seattle Progressives, UFCW 3000, UA Hey, UAW 4121, OPIU 8, Wisen 1 America, Rise Up, Pisara, Ayatsi Local 15, Layuna 242, uh, we got SEIU, uh, the Coalition of Interns and Residents, SEIU 6, WOOFC Local 1495, and many, many more who are doing this work every single day.

4:00

Thank you all so much for your work and for being here.

4:03

Um, I'm not gonna read the whole proclamation.

4:05

I know we got a whole agenda to get to today.

4:07

Uh, but let me just read at a quick excerpt for you, and then we're gonna ask folks to come up and share a few words.

4:13

Whereas May 1st, International Workers Day honors the global structur struggle for workers' rights rooted in the movement for the eight-hour workday and carried forward by generations of working people organizing for dignity, safety, and fair wages.

4:27

May Day is recognized all over the world with International Workers' Day celebrated across cultures as workers come together to uplift their struggles and victories in creating systemic change, a fight that immigrant workers in the U.S.

4:38

have reignited.

4:40

Whereas Seattle's labor movement represents workers all across our local economy, from public sector workers to building trades union members, service employees to maritime workers organizing for a more just and fair, equitable working conditions.

5:00

Whereas Seattle workers who are from here and who come here as caregivers, parents, neighbors, and community leaders, and the dedication of service workers from all countries, powering every sector of our economy is a reminder to keep investing in libraries, child care, public spaces, and transit while continuing to build pathways of opportunity for working families.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment█████████████████████████████████████37%
Workforce Development████████████████16%
Procedural█████████████13%
Public Safety█████5%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Civil Rights████4%
Public Health███3%
Transportation Safety███3%
Immigration Policy███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Seattle City Council Meeting – April 28, 2026

The Seattle City Council met on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 2:02 PM in Council Chamber, City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Council President Joy Hollingsworth, with seven members present (Foster, Hollingsworth, Kettle, Lin, Rinck, Rivera, Saka) and two excused (Juarez, Strauss). It adjourned at 3:46 PM. Key actions included two proclamations, a public hearing on a temporary moratorium on detention centers (Council Bill 121174 / Ordinance 127401), adoption of the consent calendar, and confirmation of the Director of the Office of Arts and Culture.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimously adopted (6-0, Rivera absent) the following:
    • Minutes of April 21, 2026.
    • Council Bill 121200: Appropriation for claims for the week of April 13–17, 2026.
    • Appointments to the Seattle Renters’ Commission (Elisabeth Benham, Alanna Diggs, Sasha Wasserstrom, and reappointments of Andrew Ashiofu, Adora Blue, Liz Fite, Sam Wolfson).
    • Appointments to the Seattle Arts Commission (Tera Beach, Mariana C. Martinez, Anne Shukla, Ray Yang).
    • Appointments to the Seattle Music Commission (Ryan Patrick Devlin, Janice L. Jimenez, Marshall Hugh Massengale, Seven Sky Spillios, Tina Marie Tyler, K.M. Van Petten).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Comment (2:02 PM – ~3:10 PM): 18 speakers registered (4 remote, 14 in person). Topics included:
    • Carolyn Malone: Filed a racism complaint with the Seattle Office of Civil Rights (SOCR) and expressed concern about its handling.
    • Chris Hendrickson: Invited council to the Brighton Apartments community celebration on May 7, 2026, highlighting a $3.5 million Amazon investment for affordable senior housing.
    • Nathan Wall: Criticized Vision Zero audit as unnecessary, advocated for traffic safety measures, opposed AI data centers and ICE detention centers, and called for sanctions against Hunts Point.
    • CJ Garcia (Working Washington): Thanked council for data on app-based worker protections, stating that pay and order volumes increased under the minimum payment ordinance.
    • Bennett Haselton: Proposed measuring success in homelessness reduction by tracking new homelessness rates rather than total numbers.
    • Derrick Pace: Described being labeled a domestic terrorist, alleging police misconduct and impacts on employment.
    • Betty Krull: Criticized Seattle Housing Authority management, noise issues, and letter volume at public housing.
    • Gabriel Diaz: Opposed relying on cultural competency training for police accountability, cited use-of-force review concerns, and demanded an Office of Victims of Police Violence.
    • Maria Hernandez (Summit Atlas student): Urged investment in immigrant and refugee youth, referenced letters from children in ICE detention.
    • Gwendolyn Hart: Called for permanent ban on ICE detention centers, opposed AI data centers, and promoted May Day and May 5th protests.
    • Em Smith: Criticized Democratic Party inaction, demanded municipal IDs for undocumented immigrants, and opposed police budget increases.
    • Summer Miller: Demanded a permanent ban on detention centers, criticized lack of public notification for the hearing, and called for funding for victims of police violence.
    • Jason Thiel: Accused council of delaying permanent ban, demanded commitment from all members, and called for breaking from the Democratic Party.
    • Yvette Dinish: Praised the Seattle King County Clinic (served ~3,000 people), proposed using a city-owned vacant lot at 12th and Jackson for affordable housing, and supported security cameras at Rainier Beach.
    • Howard Gale (remote): Criticized police discretion and abuse, cited upcoming inquests into police killings of Sean Lee Fur, Terry Caver, and Ryan Smith.
    • Guinevere Dinsmore (remote): Demanded city use all authority to deny ICE/DHS use of land or buildings for detention centers.
    • David Haynes (remote): Condemned council for not addressing public safety and homelessness, accused them of undermining federal efforts, and made racist and inflammatory statements.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations:
    • Councilmember Foster presented a proclamation declaring May 1, 2026, as “International Workers’ Day in Seattle.” Speakers included CJ Garcia (Working Washington), Katie Garrow (MLK Labor), Shrika Carter (Washington State Labor Council), and Karen Estevenin (PROTECT17), who emphasized labor solidarity, immigrant rights, and worker safety.
    • Councilmember Kettle presented a proclamation declaring April 30, 2026, as “National Therapy Animal Day.” Greg Lee and his therapy dog Logger (95 lbs) addressed the council, noting over 2,000 visits to hospitals and recovery programs.
  • Public Hearing on Temporary Moratorium on Detention Centers (Ordinance 127401): Opened at 3:10 PM, closed at 3:31 PM. Councilmember Rinck, sponsor, provided background: the 365-day emergency moratorium (passed March 2026) was a response to a federal solicitation; this hearing is a step toward permanent regulations. She noted that the ACLU reported the 17th death in ICE custody this year. Speakers included:
    • Jason Thiel: Demanded all council members publicly commit to a permanent ban; only Rinck raised her hand.
    • Gwendolyn Hart: Called the ban the “bare minimum” and criticized Democratic Party inaction.
    • Summer Miller: Repeated demand for public commitment; Rinck affirmed support.
    • Em Smith: Criticized historical Democratic betrayals on immigration, urged independent political action.
    • Derrick Pace: Warned that being on a domestic terrorist watchlist can happen to anyone, citing cases of Renee Good and Alex Prady.
    • David Haynes (remote): Opposed the ban, arguing it protects criminals.
    • Howard Gale (remote): Supported the ban but said more is needed, citing Boston’s and Minneapolis’s policies; called for banning Mr. Haynes’s racist comments.
    • Guinevere Dinsmore (remote): Supported permanent ban, citing rampant abuse in ICE facilities.
    • Gabriel Diaz (in person): Cited case of Mohammed Sahid Chaudry and ongoing issues at Northwest Detention Center.
    • Yvette Dinish: Suggested converting detention centers into homeless transition centers.
    • Nathan Wall: Supported the ban, emphasized constitutional rights for all, and called for accountability for David Haynes’s comments.
    • Bennett Haselton: Supported the ban, citing police brutality against protesters at ICE facility in Portland.
  • Committee Reports:
    • Council Bill 121188: Adjusting pay zones for non-represented IT employees to match represented employees (4.15% increase per IBEW Local 77 MOU). Passed 6-0.
    • Appointment of Amy Nguyen as Director of the Office of Arts and Culture: Confirmed 6-0. Councilmembers praised her experience and community support. Nguyen spoke briefly, committing to equity and access.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted Consent Calendar (6-0): Minutes, claim payments, and 17 commission appointments.
  • Passed Council Bill 121188 (6-0): ITP pay zone adjustments for parity with represented employees.
  • Confirmed Appointment of Amy Nguyen (6-0) as Director of the Office of Arts and Culture.
  • Public Hearing Held on Ordinance 127401 (temporary moratorium on detention centers). Next steps: council will consider permanent regulations; Rinck acknowledged need for better public notification.
  • Council President’s Remarks: Hollingsworth condemned racist remarks made against a security guard, emphasizing that racism will not be tolerated in City Hall and calling for respect for all staff. Councilmember Foster endorsed the statement.
  • Meeting Adjourned at 3:46 PM. Next meeting: May 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Hey, good afternoon. Uh, the April 28th meeting of the Seattle City Council City Council will come to order. It is 2 02 p.m. I'm Council President Joy Hollingsworth. Will the clerk please call the rolls? Councilmember Kettle. Here. Councilmember Lynn. Here. Councilmember Rink. Present. Councilmember Rafara. Present. Councilmember Saka. Councilmember Foster. Here. Council President Hollingsworth. Here. Seven present. Awesome. And uh Councilmember Wares and Councilmember Strauss are excused for today's meeting. Colleagues, we have two proclamations for today, starting with Councilmember Foster, the proclamation recognizing May 1st as International Workers' Day. Councilmember Foster, you are recognized off to you for the first start. Thank you so much. I I thought we were doing uh Councilmember Kettles first. Uh so that was, and we're we got a lot of people here for that one. I'm just using Bob and I'm having a little joke. Bob and I are having a joke. Thank you so much, Council President. Uh, I really appreciate it. I'm really excited to bring this proclamation forth. Uh, and I'm really thrilled because every year on May 1st, we celebrate International Workers' Day. And I know I see a lot of people in chambers here today who last year I got to see out in marches and who often I get to see in organizing rooms, and we wanted to take this opportunity as a council to honor the work of our labor movement, including our union organizers, including organizers who are organizing with working people every day, and get a chance to acknowledge May Day. So, with that, um, you know, I think May Day is not just a moment on a calendar, it is an opportunity for us to reflect on the ongoing struggle for dignity for safety and fair wages for workers everywhere. Uh, we know that the work that you do is hard. Um, and for so many workers, especially immigrant workers, black and brown workers, workers in low wage sectors, it's not an abstract idea. Labor is not an abstract idea. It's every day, it's personal, and it's about what moves us forward. This proclamation matters because it gets to name that history and that struggle, and it names the work that you all put in day in and day out. Um, and we also believe that it's important to say a proclamation alone is not enough. We have to continue to organize and take action. So we're excited to celebrate May Day, not just here in chambers, but on picket lines, in organizing spaces, and in the continued push for better economic opportunity and better livelihoods for all workers. Before we move forward, I want to take a moment to recognize the labor organizers and community with us today. If you are a proud union member or part of a worker organization, please stand or raise your hand as you were able so that we can recognize you. Thank you. Thank you. I hope you get a chance to look around and see each other and feel your strength and your power in chambers today. Um, I also want to just quickly call out some of the groups that I know are joining us today. Please forgive me if I don't have you all on my list. There's a lot of fantastic folks down in the lobby, so thank you.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com