Seattle City Light employees urge council to press mayor to reinstate ousted CEO Dawn Lindell

Several Seattle City Light employees used public comment time at the Jan. 20 council meeting to criticize the mayor’s recent removal of CEO Dawn Lindell and to request that the council press the mayor for transparency or reversal.

"Don has been the best CEO that we've had since I've been there," said Jeff Berry, a 25-year City Light employee, expressing shock at the leadership change and saying employees deserved to know the reasons for Lindell’s removal under public-disclosure norms. Berry said the replacement—announced the same day Lindell was removed—left workers feeling blindsided.

Peter Miller, who identified himself as a journey-worker electrician and a union bargaining committee member, urged the council to do "whatever you can to keep Dawn Lindell on at City Light," saying Lindell brought stability, listening and responsiveness to rank-and-file employees.

Amy Kimball, a professional engineer with Seattle City Light, recounted Lindell's engineering credentials and management record, saying Lindell had led infrastructure improvements, addressed deferred maintenance and worked directly with line crews. Kimball said Lindell had been with City Light for two years and had overseen large budgets and licensing efforts.

Council member Bob Kettle noted the council’s role as the city’s public utility commission and said the body takes those responsibilities seriously. He thanked union representatives for attending and said he would pursue governance and oversight angles, including follow-up reporting and conversation with the mayor’s office and other city officials.

The council did not vote on personnel matters during the meeting. Council members acknowledged the comments and Kettle said the council would follow up through its oversight channels.