CITY OF SEATTLE

ORDINANCE __________________

COUNCIL BILL __________________

AN ORDINANCE relating to Proposition 1 as approved by Seattle voters in the 2020 general election; authorizing material scope changes to increase the share of Proposition 1 dollars that can be spent on transit capital projects intended to maximize operating efficiency of transit service purchased with Proposition 1 revenues.

WHEREAS, Ordinance 123397 established the Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) for preserving and maintaining transportation infrastructure; improving public safety; implementing elements of the Seattle Transportation Strategic Plan and other planning documents; investing in bicycle, pedestrian, freight mobility, and transit enhancements; and providing people with choices to meet their mobility needs; and

WHEREAS, Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 36.73.160 requires the STBD to adopt a policy to address material changes to a project’s cost, scope, and schedule; and

WHEREAS, in STBD Resolution 3, the Governing Board of the STBD approved a material change policy that addresses the procedures for approving changes to project cost, scope, and schedule; and

WHEREAS, by Ordinance 125070, The City of Seattle assumed the rights, powers, immunities, functions, and obligations of the STBD as authorized under RCW 36.74.030; and

WHEREAS, by Ordinance 126115, the City Council submitted a ballot measure (“Proposition 1”) to Seattle voters to authorize up to a 0.15 percent sales and use tax for the purposes of funding transit and related transportation programs in Seattle; and

WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, Proposition 1 was approved by an overwhelming majority of qualified Seattle voters; and

WHEREAS, in December 2020, by Ordinance 126250, Council imposed the revenue measure authorized by the voters through the approval of Proposition 1; and

WHEREAS, in November 2022, by Ordinance 126718, Council increased the amount of Proposition 1 revenues that may be used annually to support the implementation of citywide capital improvements to enhance transit efficiency and reliability and passenger amenities from $3 million to $15 million; and

WHEREAS, the City intends to maximize the efficiency of transit service purchased with Proposition 1 revenues by increasing the authorized share of these revenues that can be spent on complementary transit capital projects; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Pursuant to the material change policy adopted by Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD) Resolution 3, later subsumed by The City of Seattle, the cost of the project authorized by Proposition 1 and Ordinance 126718 is expanded to increase from $15 million to $16.4 million the amount of Proposition 1 revenues that may be used annually to support the implementation of citywide capital improvements to enhance transit efficiency and reliability and passenger amenities intended to maximize the efficiency of transit service purchased with Proposition 1 funds.

Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.

Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2023, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this ________ day of _________________________, 2023.

____________________________________

President ____________ of the City Council

  Approved /  returned unsigned /  vetoed this _____ day of _________________, 2023.

____________________________________

Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor

Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2023.

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Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk

(Seal)