Get to Know Seattle’s New Council Members

The new members of the Seattle City Council will discuss their visions for the future of the city when they are guests of the Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership’s Conversations series. The event, Tuesday, February 13, 6:30–7:45 p.m. at Pigott Auditorium, will touch on topics from governance and basis services to accountability and more. The event is free, but advance registration is requested.

A quarterly series, Conversations brings local, regional and national leaders to the stage for in-depth discussions on critical current issues.

“This program should be of great importance to Seattle residents and will highlight how the new council will attempt to affect the city through policy changes,” explains Dr. Larry Hubbell, Seattle University professor and co-moderator of the event alongside journalist and SU professional-in-residence Joni Balter.

In various ways, the newcomers to the city council have said they want to move beyond some of the council’s past ideological activities and in-fighting to focus on core services. The discussion will focus on specific ideas around that topic: What is the right number of police officers in Seattle? How familiar are the new counselors with the crisis response program that will dispatch mental health professionals on certain calls? How can the council make a difference on issues around homelessness? What about street and neighborhood issues?

“The city council has experienced the most sweeping turnover since 1911,” explains Balter. “We at Seattle University feel fortunate to offer an opportunity for people to hear directly from the newcomers.”