Seattle Courant Archive

This Week in Seattle Politics: March 9, 2009

This Week in Seattle Politics: March 9, 2009

By Keith Vance
March 09, 2009

According to the special meeting agenda on the bond sale, the City Council will discuss selling approximately $99.8 million of its 2009 Limited Tax General Obligation Improvement and Refunding Bond to pay for a laundry list of big ticket projects, including the Alaskan Way Viaduct and seawall, improvements to Pike Place Market and Rainier Beach Community Center, and continued implementation of voter-approved Proposition 2 to develop and restore parks.

"We normally sell bonds once or twice a year to fund city capital projects," Council President Richard Conlin said, "and we have a special meeting when the bonds are sold to accept the best bid. It's pretty routine, but the good news is that the city has access to the capital markets, which is a testament to our sound financial practices."

On the issue of multi-family rezoning, staff from the Mayor's office will be recommending changes to zoning rules to "to improve the design of multi-family development, promote greener buildings and encourage workforce affordable housing through zoning incentives."

A request for more information has been sent to the Mayor's office to clarify what changes will be recommended and how those changes will accomplish the goals stated. Stay tuned.

Canceled meetings this week include: "Parks and Seattle Center Committee," "Environment, Emergency Management and Utilities," and "Culture, Civil Rights, Health and Personnel." There no meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.