[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6242963,"mediaKeyId","3243773-ce3672b6b79f49ed795c0f2c96d5c0c7","parentId",3243773,"title","Committee reviews plan to install interactive media kiosks downtown and in business districts","audioSeconds",2530,"startMs",4791000,"endMs",7321000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3243773-ce3672b6b79f49ed795c0f2c96d5c0c7&start=4791&end=7321","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3243773-ce3672b6b79f49ed795c0f2c96d5c0c7/thumbnail_4791000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6242963/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Committee-reviews-plan-to-install-interactive-media-kiosks-downtown-and-in-business-districts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242963-448efa579f5b4e98465cfbac919ae388/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182595&Signature=oiFztDCcXfs6RZcL~IiR7BH3h9UrVBmG~IAyRCR06l2JrLjCYPQsY34VQTsbMs5ZvHirqn3FbUH5F5uhu3UBJC4kOt~CV6iRyexpcKfdGZYrAI1fUXXAgAqfLoReepEogOD4rYL5zwm9fhhvBRhC2Zh4AG~2k1cCWsGo0SdyuSY9uzvFiCWVtEKnmq981mc1qkPaUarEqK9iHv5JI-NTvSBGHuj-Qu-uofkcfBB2jT2QL6-9kQhsvj11SOiZaSC4IS25~CQlWWIlYuAiRHFz24ReT~afOq-sOgecxO9OnvSOrdlGxwfiadtFiZpM0R4w7bysDwVAORbAX0OT-2cGvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seattle City, WA","date","2025-05-09T02:39:24Z","article","The Seattle City Council’s Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee on May 8 heard a briefing on a proposal from the Downtown Seattle Association and vendor Ike Smart City to install, maintain and operate interactive media kiosks across downtown and in participating Business Improvement Areas (BIAs).

The kiosks are proposed as a programmatic term permit under Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 15.65 and would be delivered at no direct cost to the city. John Scholes, president of the Downtown Seattle Association, said the proposal would “help people find their way to transit, to arts and cultural events, to community events, to farmers markets,” and framed kiosks as a proven tool in more than 20 U.S. cities.

Why it matters: Committee members and staff framed the project as part of the mayor’s Downtown Activation Plan and as an opportunity to provide multilingual wayfinding, free Wi‑Fi, public-safety alerts, and revenue that the DSA would reinvest in services in the Metropolitan Improvement District (MID). SDOT staff said a SEPA determination of non‑significance has been issued and that a subsequent ordinance would set detailed permit terms and protections before site‑specific permits are issued.

Key facts and program design: SDOT and the applicant described an 80‑kiosk program with two phases. The first phase would place 30 kiosks within the MID (roughly 300 city blocks) and an initial set in four BIAs (Ballard, University District, SoDo and West Seattle Junction). Kiosk dimensions were described as roughly 8 feet tall by 3 feet wide, with a screen of about 12 square feet. The vendor said kiosks operate in a passive loop and an on‑demand “engage” mode; a minimum of 25% of looped content would be public service or community content, with the rest available for advertising. SDOT said kiosks would not be placed in historic or shoreline districts, the waterfront, Seattle Center overlays or Park Boulevards and would be sited in the furniture zone of sidewalks with minimum clearances.

Public safety and emergency functions were central to the committee discussion. Ike Smart City staff said the kiosks integrate FEMA’s IPAWS alerts and include a two‑way emergency call button on the unit’s spine that can be routed to 911 or other local responders. SDOT said traffic and pedestrian safety were evaluated as part of the SEPA review and that location criteria and sight‑distance math will be enforced at the permitting stage.

Costs and revenue: SDOT and DSA said the city would not pay for the kiosks and that the DSA expects approximately $1.1 million in initial revenue that would be used to augment MID public‑realm services (cleaning, ambassadors, beautification and events). The project team said maintenance and repairs are the vendor’s responsibility and that the units are designed to be weather‑and‑vandal resistant.

Public comment and council concerns: Public commenters were split. Supporters — including representatives of the SoDo BIA, Commute Seattle, the Ballard Alliance and the local World Cup organizing committee — praised wayfinding, real‑time transit information, on‑demand translation and the kiosks’ role in promoting neighborhood businesses and events. Opponents raised concerns about aesthetics, brightness and impacts on children and the public realm; several speakers said the city’s sign code and character would be harmed if kiosks were allowed in pedestrian areas. Committee members asked detailed questions about emergency procedures, the mechanics of IPAWS takeover of the screen, revenue use by the MID, who maintains the units, and how permits will be restricted near intersections to mitigate driver distraction.

Next steps: SDOT recommended conceptual approval of the programmatic term permit and said a follow‑up ordinance would set permit terms (insurance, bonds, restoration, reporting and explicit siting criteria). The committee scheduled further consideration, including a possible ordinance vote in June; SDOT said installation permits would follow and the city hopes initial deployments could begin later in 2025 or early 2026 ahead of the FIFA World Cup events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Seattle City Council Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee 5/8/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Seattle City Council’s Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee on May 8 heard a briefing on a proposal from the Downtown Seattle Association and vendor Ike Smart City to install, maintain and operate interactive media kiosks across downtown and in participating Business Improvement Areas.","taxTitle","Seattle, King County, Washington","taxId",2543,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6242954,"Council committee confirms three appointments to Seattle Film Commission",1483,3299000,4782000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3243773-ce3672b6b79f49ed795c0f2c96d5c0c7&start=3299&end=4782","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3243773-ce3672b6b79f49ed795c0f2c96d5c0c7/thumbnail_3299000.jpg","/articles/6242954/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Council-committee-confirms-three-appointments-to-Seattle-Film-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242954-e10ae152365c939148af5be887347e6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182595&Signature=iGr0LgjJiezc7h-v3qAJQNep264mQM6qjAtiinOQ-UUKbD3sDNcUeghm7ZXLHM76lCgrctXvS-fdRnWsv-6kPKLQKFH2R75ZvATeGx5WftmQpkm0WICecV4SsKM20~biSxTLH7dpgE1GeDheqoYy~Cu0~eYe-QGZL4itidTFlK1o4kPVIA2d6p8Jwp~w-~JA2Ym6-DOl0fJKBxGuabjJFt515eRhVw6A7SH-z-eIn7edNnoifEZCQl6-epZac1KayyZhBbLSN8WRTA9ZNrpkL-SoeDJrdkv~VfcQdgfLzej-rlL4xvTmYpUNoHZr6R-HhjVmDHCgtBzPAXSnJMcbrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee on May 8 moved and recommended confirmation of three mayoral council appointments to the Seattle Film Commission for terms through April 23, 2028.

Appointments and rationale: The committee confirmed (by roll call) Lawrence Alexander III (Lex Scope) to represent film festivals and content distribution; Davis Powell to represent film industry labor unions (SAG‑AFTRA local executive director); and Katie Hall to represent film schools and educators. Davis Powell said he has served in union representation roles in the Pacific Northwest and described ties to SAG‑AFTRA, Teamsters and other entertainment unions. Katie Hall described nonprofit work training and supporting young women in media and her roles with NATAS Northwest and other scholarship programs. Lawrence Alexander emphasized bringing underrepresented storytellers into production pipelines.

Vote and next steps: The committee moved and seconded the confirmations and a roll call produced five votes in favor; the committee chair congratulated the appointees and noted the confirmations will be considered next by full council on the stated schedule.","Council committee confirmed Lawrence Alexander III (Lex Scope), Davis Powell and Katie Hall to the Seattle Film Commission; appointees described plans to support industry growth, workforce pathways and underrepresented creators.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6242958,"Council committee debates proposed changes to Seattle ethics code amid broad public opposition",3469,7352000,10821000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3243773-ce3672b6b79f49ed795c0f2c96d5c0c7&start=7352&end=10821","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3243773-ce3672b6b79f49ed795c0f2c96d5c0c7/thumbnail_7352000.jpg","/articles/6242958/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Council-committee-debates-proposed-changes-to-Seattle-ethics-code-amid-broad-public-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242958-82eea8c406d3e3ad9575a18fd00b7c4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182595&Signature=UAlsualF0vrUUfLRruH7xQh9nMqyGl6qgVgQ-RC40YhXda72AOqNY2r5Gjwa6kLfaJY3ExlwfsU6dhA5NVooXDH2ku96KiWYlPdYyWSOQ6GpvVSq05SItmc0ahaAzay4ujhUyQBfl1hRhjlUz-CXuc9JqM71EN5odYfraPcxghv6lCbAav7pSiPZWicJ2GvacVQPWQO5eQHBcGY8OYhiT4JQRHBYZKOLOwRAcqfQX2Eda55TXz~fDBKo5O2xp-hSqWgr22ciCBpgEW2Z0sziKuArRg7QFTeyqtnNbZt8o5t9A044VkYeiF77sOuNeyLjT-T9E0jk7uQyT58R-Rap3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee took public testimony and heard a policy briefing on May 8 about Council Bill 120978, a proposal to amend sections 4.16.030 and 4.16.070 of the Seattle Municipal Code that govern financial conflicts of interest and disclosure for elected officials.

Why it matters: The bill would change the city’s long‑standing rule set for municipal ethics from a recusal‑focused model to a broader disclosure approach for elected officials participating in legislative matters. Supporters of the existing recusal standard and many public commenters said changing the rule midterm would erode public trust and potentially allow council members with financial interests to vote on related legislation.

What the proposal would do: Sponsor Councilmember Kathy Moore and City Council legal counsel described the draft as a targeted change that would (1) add a clear definition of “elected official” tied to the charter, (2) remove a categorical automatic conflict arising solely from a landlord/tenant relationship, and (3) broaden the existing limited exception — which now applies to taxes, fees and utility rates — so that elected officials may participate in more legislative matters after filing the code’s prescribed disclosure. The bill would also remove a current requirement that elected officials obtain an affirmative written opinion from the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) executive director and the city clerk to claim an affirmative defense; instead, disclosure filings would remain a central requirement.

Council legal analysis and state law: Council legal counsel and the SEEC emphasized that the proposed change would not eliminate other prohibitions in the municipal code or state law. Lauren Henry, legislative legal counsel, noted that state statutes and the Washington constitution continue to impose ethics obligations and the appearance‑of‑fairness rules that govern quasi‑judicial decisions. The counsel’s memo points to RCW provisions applicable to municipal officers and referenced the existing SMC chapters.

Public comment and coalition opposition: Public testimony was intense and overwhelmingly opposed to the proposed rollback. Speakers included tenant advocates, leaders of the Seattle Renters Commission and multiple members of Workers’ Strike Back, who urged the council to preserve 45 years of recusal protections. The Seattle Renters Commission interim co‑chair Kate Rubin told the committee, “Changing them midterm is a distrust — it's a violation of public trust.” Several speakers explicitly linked the draft amendment to concerns about potential votes on renter protections and said changing rules now would appear to enable certain policy outcomes.

SEEC and enforcement considerations: Wayne Barnett, executive director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, and SEEC Chair Zach Michaelis discussed the policy tradeoffs. Barnett said the city’s current code is a comparatively strict, bright‑line recusal regime and acknowledged he has previously recommended exploring alternatives; he told the committee that the code currently places substantial discretion in the commission’s enforcement process. Michaelis said jurisdictions vary across a spectrum from mandatory disqualification to disclosure‑only models and urged the council to weigh the policy tradeoffs. He and several commenters suggested delaying any effective date so rules would not change for council members elected under the current standard.

Next steps and concerns: Sponsor Moore said the draft is intended to open a discussion and that she would accept amendment concepts; council counsel offered to circulate deadlines for proposed amendments. No committee vote was taken; members requested additional analysis and flagged the option of delaying an effective date or considering ballot referral. Several council members emphasized they want clear, administrable standards and more time to review before any final vote.","Council members, legal counsel and the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission discussed a sponsor bill that would change the city\u001fs approach to conflicts of interest by expanding when elected officials may participate after disclosing financial interests. Public commenters largely opposed rolling back recusal protections.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee reviews plan to install interactive media kiosks downtown and in business districts

Council committee confirms three appointments to Seattle Film Commission

Council committee debates proposed changes to Seattle ethics code amid broad public opposition