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Residents urge support for North City cleanup; one speaker warns against costly business tax exemption
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Summary
Three residents spoke during public comment: two thanked the council for support and cleanup work at North City Station; one, Norbert Steele, urged council not to approve a proposed business tax exemption without data, saying it could "burn $400,000 a year."
Three preregistered residents addressed the council during public comment.
Norbert Steele of Shoreline criticized a proposed business tax exemption tied to new businesses, told the council that staff said there is no data showing the exemption’s benefit and urged them not to approve it without evidence. "Just don't please don't burn that," Steele said, warning the council the benefit could amount to about $400,000 a year and suggesting alternative uses such as hiring IT staff.
Kevin Atkinson, identifying himself as from North City, thanked the council for approving $300,000 last year toward the North City Station renovation and said state legislators helped secure a further $275,000. Atkinson described a recent neighborhood cleanup that drew more than 100 volunteers and said the community is enthusiastic about converting the site into an active public space.
Katie Laura, who helped organize the cleanup, echoed Atkinson’s remarks, described the volunteer turnout and urged the council to support momentum for temporary and future public uses of the site.
City staff did not respond to public-comment remarks during the time for comments; the clerk closed the public-comment period after the three speakers.
