The City Hall scoop

• First Committee meeting on January 21^st – I am so proud to be the chair of the Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries, and Waterfront committee. This month, we had Parks Superintendent Jesus Aguirre come and present the department’s 2015 accomplishments and give us a preview of their 2016 work plan. There are a lot of exciting things coming down the pipe this year. We will be seeing comprehensive plans for staff and programming at our community centers, new policies regarding off-leash areas for dogs, and new parks being developed. I am excited to announce there are 14 sites the city plans to re-develop into new park space. Construction will begin on five of these sites this year and one of the first five is in District 5’s Lake City neighborhood at NE 125^th St and 33^rd Ave NE.

• In addition to my City committee assignments I am also one of two Seattle representatives on the King County Regional Policy Committee (RPC). On January 13^th, members were presented with an update on trends in disproportionality in the juvenile justice system and we discussed ways to improve outcomes for kids.  At the next meeting, the RPC will be confirming its 2016 work plan which will likely include review of the implementation plan for the Best Starts for Kids Levy, regional planning for housing and homelessness, and regional economic development plans.

The District 5 scoop

• Challenge Grant – This month we heard about an exciting new opportunity in which I would really like to see our District 5 neighbors and community organizations have a chance to participate. Do you know of a Seattle public park or recreation facility that needs some major improvements ($2 million or more)? Can you think of some potential partners in the community who would be willing to match the dollars this grant invests? Does the project benefit an underserved community and provide a significant improvement for this community? Then you should consider this opportunity!
  • Proposals due March 31 – don’t delay if you have a great idea for how to improve your local park!
  • Learn more about the Major Projects Challenge Grant here
  • Learn more about the Municipal Park District here
  • Please feel free to contact our office if you are having any trouble with the application process

I was really excited to attend some great events this month, from incredibly emotional events celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  and the One Night Count to informative and energetic events with the North Seattle Chamber at Elliot Bay Brewery and a Community Conversation with Lake City Future First. We are getting out and about and can’t wait to open our district office (more information coming soon!).

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Posted: February 3rd, 2016 under Councilmember Juarez