Seattle Governance and Utilities Committee Meeting – May 14, 2026
Seattle Governance and Utilities Committee Meeting – May 14, 2026
The Governance and Utilities Committee, chaired by Council President Joy Hollingsworth, met on May 14, 2026, from 9:35 a.m. to 11:43 a.m. to consider several appointments, a funding amendment for flood preparedness in South Park, and the 2026 Stormwater Code Update. The committee also received a report on Artificial Intelligence but deferred discussion to the next meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jeremy Phoebus (professional engineer): Criticized the proposed stormwater code (CB 121190) as a missed opportunity, arguing that it pits environment against housing and would quadruple bioretention requirements without addressing legacy pollution in public rights-of-way.
- Logan Schmidt (Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties): Supported the flow control threshold increase but urged raising the standard drainage review threshold to 1,200 square feet to align with ADU allowances. Called for long-term dialogue with the Department of Ecology to develop urban-specific stormwater guidance.
- David Gloger (District 5 resident): Opposed the stormwater code changes, stating the city has ignored state recommendations (e.g., using trees) and noted recent fines ($117,000 in 2023; $71,000 in 2024) and legal settlements (Madison Valley $2.5M, Squamish Tribe $2.5M) related to stormwater issues. He argued the code should be stronger, not weaker.
- Keith (speaker, full name not given): Expressed concern that the stormwater code is the last defense after the One Seattle Plan, particularly regarding tree protection. Questioned why the threshold for on-site retention changed from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet, a policy in place since 1979.
- Jennifer (board member, American Society of Puget Sound and Trees and People Coalition): Concerned about increases in impervious surfaces from the comprehensive plan and reduction in flow control regulations. Asked for calculations supporting water quality claims and proposed performance metrics.
- Susan (speaker, full name not given): Noted catastrophic flooding and drought cycles, sewer main bursts costing $22,000–$34,000 per repair, and combined sewer overflows (15 events since December). Urged adoption of Ecology's parametric stormwater guidelines and stronger weighting of trees in stormwater management.
- Ruth Dight (Friends of Queen Anne): Opposed raising the on-site retention threshold from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet, questioning who saves (developers) and who pays (residents and environment).
- Julie Who's Bruce (Trees and People Coalition): Urged stronger stormwater regulations to mitigate increased impervious surfaces. Asked for an extension from Ecology and added binding language on trees, temperature changes, and removal of a statement about low potential for endangered species.
- Ruth Williams (Thornton Creek Alliance): Commented on amendments, cautioning against excluding artificially created water courses as mitigation. Noted that rain gardens can be effective for larger projects. Asked that Amendment 2's language on trees be strengthened and not delayed five years.
- Howard Gill (36th LD Democrats): Spoke on a non-agenda matter, requesting a council rule to sanction members who target the public. After warnings about staying within purview, his microphone was cut off.
- Irene Wall (speaker): Expressed concerns about stormwater code amendments and the need to consult tree experts before approving. Noted half the lots in neighborhood commercial zones are under 5,000 sq ft and will be redeveloped.
- Richard Ellison (retired professor, District 4): Emphasized that tree canopies are essential for stormwater management, citing research. Urged the city to consider scientific literature.
- David Haynes (speaker): Criticized public commenters who oppose development, arguing that tearing up streets and redeveloping with greenery would be more beneficial. Called for two-shift work on infrastructure projects.
Discussion Items
- Appointment of Stan Diddams and Gabriel Navarro to SPU Customer Review Panel (Items 1-2): Both nominees were introduced by SPU General Manager Andrew Lee and Planning Advisor Justin Chan. Diddams, a retired banker, and Navarro, a graduate student in infrastructure planning, were praised for their financial expertise, community involvement, and representation of youth and historically underrepresented communities. Councilmembers Kettle, Rivera, Juarez, and Strauss expressed support. The committee voted unanimously (5-0) to recommend confirmation to full council.
- Reappointment of Andrew Lee as SPU General Manager and CEO (Item 3): Lee highlighted achievements including reliable water service to 1.6 million people, PFAS-free water, progress on the Ship Canal Water Quality Project, Duwamish sediment cleanup, zero waste initiatives, and rate increases averaging 3.5% (excluding King County fees). Councilmembers Juarez, Kettle, Rivera, and Strauss commended Lee's leadership, responsiveness, and kindness. The committee voted 4-0 (Councilmember Strauss was excused) to recommend confirmation.
- South Park Interim Flooding Preparedness and Response Program (Item 4, CB 121202): SPU requested authorization to amend an interlocal agreement with King County Flood Control Zone District, providing an additional $2.6 million for 2025-2026 expenses (total $4.6 million). The funds cover sandbag walls, pump systems, and labor. The program follows the December 2022 flood that affected 49 homes. SPU reported strong community support and coordination with industrial users. The committee voted 4-0 to recommend passage.
- 2026 Stormwater Code Update (Item 5, CB 121190): Central staff Brian Goodnight and SPU's Kevin Burrell presented the update, which raises the flow control threshold for small lake basins/capacity-constrained systems from 2,000 to 5,000 sq ft of new plus replaced hard surface (still stricter than Ecology's 10,000 sq ft threshold). Also increases sizing for non-infiltrating bioretention facilities. SPU noted over 800 stakeholder comments and nearly 100 pages of responses. Two amendments were sponsored by Chair Hollingsworth: Amendment 1 (technical corrections) and Amendment 2 (adding recitals on advocacy to ban tire chemical 6PPD, continued research on trees' role in stormwater, and commitment to best available science). Councilmember Juarez asked about potential cost impacts on Parks and City Light projects (e.g., new community centers). Councilmember Kettle raised concerns about street sweeping capacity and the challenge of adapting stormwater rules to rapid land-use changes. Councilmember Rivera requested follow-up on performance metrics for stormwater management. SPU committed to ongoing collaboration and adaptive management. The committee voted 4-0 to adopt both amendments and then recommend passage of the bill as amended.
- Artificial Intelligence Investment and Usage Reports (Item 6, Inf 2889): Deferred to the June 11 committee meeting without objection.
Key Outcomes
- Confirmed appointments: Stan Diddams and Gabriel Navarro to SPU Customer Review Panel (vote 5-0).
- Reappointed Andrew Lee as SPU General Manager and CEO for a term to December 31, 2029 (vote 4-0, Strauss excused).
- Recommended passage of CB 121202 (South Park flooding agreement amendment, vote 4-0).
- Recommended passage of CB 121190 (2026 Stormwater Code Update) as amended by Amendments 1 and 2 (vote 4-0). The committee committed to further work before full council consideration, respecting the July 1, 2026 Ecology permit deadline.
- Deferred Item 6 (AI reports) to the June 11, 2026 committee meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good morning. The May 14th meeting of the Governance and Utilities meeting will come to order. It is 9 35 p.m. I'm Joy Hollingsworth, Chair of the Committee. Will the clerk please call the roll? Councilmember Kettle. Vice Chair Warez. Here. Councilmember Rivera. The present. Councilmember Strauss. Present. Chair Hollingsworth. Here. Chair, there are four present council members. And Councilmember Kettle is excused until he gets here. I know he's on his way. We're gonna now consider the agenda. And if there's no objection, the agenda will be adopted. Awesome. Hearing no objection, the agenda is adopted. With that, we're gonna open up the hybrid public comment period. Public comments should be related on two items on today's agenda. I know we have folks signed up online. Looks like we have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven folks signed up online, and we have more people signing up in chambers. We'll be one second. Everyone's gonna get two minutes. Uh clerk, will you please read the instructions for the public comment? The public comment period will be moderated in the following manner. Speakers will be called on in the order they registered on the council's web page and the sign-up sheet available here in council chambers starting with in-persons first. If you have not registered to speak, but you would like to, you could sign up before the end of the public comment period or on the council's website. Link is listed on today's agenda. When speaking, please begin by stating your name and the item you were addressing. Speakers will hear chime when 10 seconds are left of the allotted time. If the speakers do not end their comments at the end of the allotted time provided, the speaker's microphone will be muted to allow us to call on the next person. Awesome. Thank you so much. And we will start with in-person speakers first. We're getting that list. And if you are online, we will come to you right after our in-person speakers. Awesome. And we'll start with those speakers. Thank you, Kim. You're all good. All right, first we have Jeremy followed by Logan, then we have David, Keith, Jennifer, and then Susan. Jeremy, welcome. Thank you. Uh thank you, Chair and Council members. I'm here to provide comment on CB121190. Uh, the revision.
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