We Did It!

Early in January 2002, I shared my 100-Day Agenda plans to boost the city's economy, ease traffic congestion, improve basic city services and strengthen community bonds. This 'get it done' list was designed with one purpose only -- to make a difference in the lives of the people of Seattle. We accelerated some existing programs, pushed for new common-sense approaches, and took steps to resolve complex issues.

I'm proud of what our City employees have been able to accomplish, and want to thank each and every one of them for a job well done. Together we've laid a successful foundation for a productive four years. The list below shows all our announced goals, plus some "bonus" goals we kept quiet just for fun. It's a long list! Congratulations!

- Mayor Greg Nickels

The First 100 Days Accomplishments

Strengthen the Region's Economy

• Convened the Economic Opportunity Task Force, which began work to develop an aggressive action agenda for Seattle's economy, a top priority for the Mayor.
  
  
• Increased opportunities for more than 450 people to find living wage jobs and help businesses meet their workforce needs through the Seattle Jobs Initiative.
  
  
• Graduated 32 trainees from the Seattle Jobs Initiative Welding/Manufacturing training program and started training for 22 additional candidates.
  
  
• Graduated 56 trainees from Seattle Jobs Initiative Office Occupations training program and started training for another 29 candidates.
  
  
• Graduated 9 trainees from the first Seattle Jobs Initiative High Tech training program and identified another 24 candidates for high tech training to begin May 6.
  
  
• Placed 82 Seattle Jobs Initiative participants in jobs thus far, and expect to place more in April.
  
  
• Enrolled 221 low income residents in Seattle Jobs Initiative training.
  
  
• Began a new partnership with Seattle Vocational Institute Multiple Trades Program resulting in a pilot training program in the construction trades, a giant step toward increasing opportunities for entry into the construction trades for people of color and women.
  
  
• Launched Seattle Jobs Initiative's Individual Development Account (IDA) program which promotes long-term saving and investment behavior to increase economic independence.
  
  
• Provided access to better health care and lower bills for food, child care, utility bills, and more than 450 low-income individuals and families in partnership with Seattle Central Community College, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, the Sheraton Hotel. Also provided opportunities for Seattle residents to enroll at Washington State Community Service Offices (Rainier and Capitol Hill) and at City Neighborhood Service Centers (Ballard, Central, Columbia and Lake City).
  
  
• Accelerated the proposed establishment of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund to assist businesses impacted by light rail production and to preserve and strengthen cultural and economic diversity, long-term livability and economic opportunity for Rainier Valley residents, businesses and institutions.
  
  
• Co-sponsored "Cultural Cascades," a cultural tourism partnership between Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, Eugene and Vancouver, BC to increase visits between the five cities.

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Economic Opportunity Task Force:
"My view of the economy is that it's like a riding a bike: you either keep moving forward or fall down. We will strengthen Seattle's economy by building consensus for an action plan to deal with short-term problems and long-term competitiveness. The Mayor is absolutely committed to an economic opportunity agenda that is financially and politically feasible, and leaves no one behind." - Joe Quintana, Co-chair, EOTF

"It's great to work with a Mayor who understands the importance of the family-wage job base." - Dave Gering, Executive Director, Manufacturing Industrial Council of Seattle

Seattle Jobs Initiative:
"I spent most of 2001 unemployed and trying to figure out what I was going to do about my situation. I was raising my 3 yr old child alone with the assistance of DSHS and my family. I researched several schools and tech training programs, but I had no way to finance going back to school. Until I heard about the Seattle Jobs Initiative. I had received a flier, I called and went to the orientation, then I met one on one with a counselor who referred me to the tech talent program. The training was very intense and demanding at times, but our instructors, program facilitators and Case Managers were very supportive. Overall I had a great time and got chance to meet great people who became great friends. I would recommend SJI to anyone who is looking for career training and new experiences." - Daniel, SJI Graduate, Tech Talent Program

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Reduce Traffic Congestion

• Deployed the first Rapid Accident & Incident Response (RAIR), a pilot program in which teams of tow truck operators to assist or tow vehicles blocking key roads and bridges.
  
  
• Installed Transit Signal Priorities at 14 locations in the Aurora Avenue North corridor to support eventual implementation of Bus Rapid Transit.
  
  
• Synchronized traffic lights in three key corridors so that all travelers, including buses, bicyclists, and pedestrians, can move through our transportation system more efficiently.
  
  
• Improved the City's response rate in repairing regular potholes within 48 hours of the time they are reported and potholes that pose significant safety risks within 24 hours.
  
  
• Created a Transportation Management Association (TMA) in Seattle's industrial area to lessen bottlenecks in zones with high freight traffic.
  
  
• Replaced 41 damaged and missing truck route signs, added new truck route signs throughout the City to assist drivers and the efficient movement of goods.
  
  
• Began the development of a plan that will protect and improve major freight routes in Seattle.
  
  
• Restored funding for the 28 Neighborhood Street Fund (NSF) projects that were previously awarded but whose funding was cut during the last budget process.
  
  
• Initiated a permitting redesign process to address development community complaints about costs and the time associated w/ acquiring permits.
  
  
• Improved pedestrian safety and mobility at the completed walkway on 21st SW new Genessee, and the repair of 8 blocks of sidewalk throughout city.
  
  
• Began to restructure the Seattle Transportation Department under new leadership, and make it more effective.

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New truck route signs throughout the City.

Neighborhood Street Funds restored
for projects such as traffic circles.

Mayor Nickels and Seattle Transportation Director Grace Crunican
help fill a pothole on 6th Avenue

Potholes
"... they are huge issues to the people who live and work in this city. To the citizen, struggling to make ends meet, hitting a pothole and taking their car out of commission for a day or two or even longer because of their inability to pay for repairs, 700 pothole repairs is a major deal..." - Nate in Capitol Hill

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Improve Public Safety

• Created the new Emergency Preparedness Bureau in the Seattle Police Department to unify critical functions necessary to planning for and managing civic emergencies ranging from earthquakes to terrorist attacks.
  
  
• Improved police accountability by making more information about Office of Professional Accountability investigations available to the public.
  
  
• Developed a new 3-day training program for police sergeants and first-line supervisors.
  
  
• Provided more than 280 Seattle Police Department officers and sergeants with "street skills" training.
  
  
• Launched the Seattle Fire Department's Community Involvement Project, headed by a Deputy Chief, to form stronger ties with the City's communities.
  
  
• Established a speakers' bureau in the Seattle Fire Department to meet with neighborhood and business groups throughout the city.
  
  
• Coordinated information to give to community and business groups about how to prepare for fire and medical emergencies.
  
  
• Co-sponsored an earthquake preparedness workshop for artists, art collectors, and educators, with the Artist Trust and Seattle Art Museum. Participants shared information about how to prevent damage to artwork during an earthquake, review gallery contracts for liability, and inventory artwork.
  
  
• Accelerated development of a new firefighter training center to improve and expand training opportunities for our firefighters.
  
  
• Introduced legislation that would strengthen Seattle's Cable Customer Bill of Rights, making it one of the nation's toughest in protecting customer privacy.
  
  
• Called for the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) to declare Pioneer Square an "Alcohol Impact Area" and impose mandatory liquor license restrictions on off-premise liquor license holders there, as an additional tool to help the businesses and residents of Pioneer Square deal with the problem of chronic public inebriation.

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Mayor Nickels proposed the creation of an Emergency Preparedness Bureau in the Seattle Police Department; above photo shows the interior of the City's Emergency Operations Center

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Strengthen Seattle's Communities

• Recommended a $95 million Housing Levy package that will support housing for more than 2,000 households over six years, and expand our city's stock of affordable housing.
  
  
• Launched the Arts Resource Network, an integrated system of online and in-person programs, that help artists and arts organizations build capacity and self-sufficiency.
  
  
• Helped create the Consortium for Artists of Color, a community-based effort addressing the issues faced by artists of color in Seattle.
  
  
• Raised $50,000 in outside funds for Phase 2 funding of the Human Services Department's "Reinvesting in Youth" program.
  
  
• Expanded the distribution of the Seattle Human Services Department "FLASH Card", a discount/identification card that connects people with disabilities with services throughout Seattle.
  
  
• Organized several "Help for Working Families Benefit" events in concert with 13 refugee and immigrant Mutual Assistance Associations (MAAs), where residents have an opportunity to learn about and apply for public benefits that boost their incomes.
  
  
• Produced a "Seattle Insight" program on TVSea featuring child care, specifically describing what quality child care is and how to find affordable, appropriate child care programs.
  
  
• Provided 8,710 people with energy and utility rate assistance.
  
  
• Provided more than 753 people with electricity assistance through Project SHARE and expanded rent assistance.
  
  
• Provided 70 youth with Seattle Team for Youth case management services in an effort to engage them in positive activities.
  
  
• Provided 130 women and children with confidential emergency shelter and transitional housing.
  
  
• Provided 229 victims of domestic violence with community advocacy services, and 104 victims with legal advocacy.
  
  
• Provided 73 people the opportunity to actively participate in batterers' intervention counseling.
  
  
• Launched the Firearm Project and hired an employee to develop a policy and operational framework for collecting guns from convicted batterers.
  
  
• Funded $1.3 million in facilities improvements for non-profit social service agencies.
  
  
• Created or preserved 180 homes with the award of $6.2 million in Housing Levy funding for seven affordable housing developments throughout the city.
  
  
• Provided services to fulfill many people's basic needs, including: 140,000 hot meals, 14,000 shelter bed nights, and provided 13,000 hygiene services.
  
  
• Provided 19 Mutual Assistance Associations with technical assistance toward securing non-city funding.
  
  
• Provided 11 Mutual Assistance Associations with assistance in strengthening their infrastructures, including record keeping and reporting, as they continue to serve their respective communities.
  
  
• Improved opportunities for 50 people to become US citizens and prepare for further employment through the New Citizen's Initiative.
  
  
• Encouraged 100 immigrant and refugee parents to participate in school through community forums encouraging parental involvement.
  
  
• Developed a new countywide meal site to serve the Russian/Ukrainian elder community.
  
  
• Enhanced the wellness of at least 50 Hmong & Laotian elders in Southeast Seattle by adding exercise programs and fresh fruit and vegetables delivery for participants at existing senior meal programs.
  
  
• Expanded supportive services to low-income elders living in 52 public housing buildings, including residents in the newly renovated Westwood Heights.
  
  
• Helped move 300 families into transitional or permanent housing.
  
  
• Created opportunities for senior and other volunteers to provide 1,300 hours of volunteer services in community-based organizations.
  
  
• Increased the operating hours of nine Family Centers to include evenings and weekends.
  
  
• Supported 625 families in increasing or maintaining their participation in formal school activities through the Family Service Worker program, improving access for more than 400 families to participate in family support activities that strengthen family members and communities. These activities and events will result in more than 6,000 family visits to the nine Family Center sites.
  
  
• Introduced 100 homeless youth into stable housing through shelter, outreach and transitional housing programs.
  
  
• Announced $1.8 Million in funding for homeownership assistance programs that will help 165 moderate- and lower-income households purchase a home in Seattle.
  
  
• Involved 2,600 children in Out-of-School Time programs that are aligned with Seattle Public Schools goals, including school readiness and parent/neighbor/school partnerships.
  
  
• Introduced legislation to allow paid leave for City of Seattle employees who undergo life-giving procedures for people with life-threatening medical conditions.
  
  
• Supported 11 Early Childhood Education and Assistance Programs (ECEAP) and 180 child care programs to provide high quality developmental services to 7,000 children.
  
  
• Loaned funds to Pike Market Child Care and Preschool to improve the playground area.
  
  
• Helped to fund interior renovations at Southeast Youth and Family Services to make their service delivery space more effective.
  
  
• Helped El Centro De La Raza to upgrade their ventilation system.
  
  
• Launched the Safe Harbors Advisory Committee.
  
  
• Increased the number of family caregivers who received training, information and peer support in caring for their frail elderly family members.
  
  
• Provided basic computer skills and Internet training to more than 100 seniors through the Seniors Training Seniors in Technology program.
  
  
• Engaged 261 school-aged kids in safe and meaningful Out of School Time programs that support students' home culture and school success.
  
  
• Involved 15 Latino families at Denny Middle School to increase parental involvement at school.
  
  
• Funded and supported efforts in 23 different public schools to create or enhance Family Partnerships.
  
  
• Selected a designer for the Yesler Community Center project and identified funding of SHA replacement housing units above the center.
  
  
• Selected an architect for the High Point Community Center project.
  
  
• Began the transition of the Woodland Park Zoo to management by the Woodland Park Zoo Society, with the signing of the operations and management agreement on March 1.
  
  
• Worked with the YMCA, our partner in an initiative to create Community Learning Centers in middle schools, to secure a substantial foundation grant to expand the program to more Seattle middle schools.
  
  
• Purchased a long-sought-after, environmentally significant, two-acre property along Thornton Creek.
  
  
• Worked with the Uptown Neighborhood to install twenty new on-street parking spaces, where parking was previously not permitted.
  
  
• Completed work on Meridian Playground.
  
  
• Made improvements to the Rogers Playground.
  
  
• Completed the new play equipment at Roanoke Playground.
  
  
• Completed the Wallingford Native Plant Garden.
  
  
• Completed the B.F. Day play court renovation.
  
  
• Completed the Magnolia Boulevard slide repair.
  
  
• Completed soils remediation and lead abatement at the Belltown Cottage site.
  
  
• Initiated repair work on earthquake damage to the Green Lake Small Craft Center.
  
  
• Completed the Soundview Playground design.
  
  
• Completed the Pinehurst Playfield design.
  
  
• Completed the "Discovery Park 500" area site plan.
  
  
• Completed the Frink Park restoration.
  
  
• Completed lead abatement at Dahl Rifle Range.
  
  
• Completed the University Playfield renovation.
  
  
• Completed the design for Beer Sheva Park playground.
  
  
• Completed the 4th and Ward Park and building renovation.
  
  
• Made improvements to the Pratt Park.
  
  
• Completed the irrigation system at Parsons Garden.
  
  
• Completed the renovation of the Japanese Garden pond shoreline.
  
  
• Lincoln Reservoir shelterhouse project went out to bid
  
  
• Completed renovations to the auditorium space at Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park in January.
  
  
• Initiated improvements to the Spokane Street Path at Jefferson Park.
  
  
• Purchased 84 acres of prime Chinook and bull trout habitat to be preserved for fish restoration in the Skagit and the Tolt/Snoqualmie watersheds.
  
  
• Increased the number of hybrid vehicles ("green cars") in the City fleet by 50%.
  
  
• Enrolled 2,183 customers, including 12 commercial, in the Seattle Green Power Program, an effort to explore alternative sources of electricity generation.
  
  
• Unveiled the Department of Design, Construction and Land Use's "Noise Abatement" mini-site on the City's web site to help citizens quickly locate this important information.
  
  
• Initiated an online complaint service for registering complaints about such problems as junk storage, illegal uses, substandard rental housing, noise, weeds and others in the Department of Design, Construction and Land Use. This online service is part of DCLU's newly unveiled Compliance Service Center minisite.
  
  
• Launched an interpreter phone service for non-English speaking public to assist them in obtaining rental housing information materials that were recently translated into nine languages by the Department of Design, Construction and Land Use. Languages available include: Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, Tagalog, Somali, Russian, and Spanish.
  
  
• Scheduled a partnering workshop with the Housing Development Consortium (HDC) to discuss the City's permit processes, and a strategy for improving working relationships to achieve quality, affordable housing.
  
  
• Developed a new program concept to promote design innovation, housing affordability, and sustainable building practices.
  
  
• Broadened the mission of the Department of Neighborhoods to include attention to cultural and social issues.
  
  
• Made City services more accessible by working with our employees to launch a pilot program in which our Neighborhood Service Centers stay open on evenings and weekends.
  
  
• Launched the "Clean Seattle Campaign," which included coordinating citizen volunteers, City departments, and businesses to promote better stewardship of our city.
  
  
• Kicked-off monthly "Clean-Sweep Days" as part of the Clean Seattle Initiative with the successful clean-up of Othello Park and the Lake City Way neighborhood, where more than 7,500 pounds of litter and debris were removed, twenty-five miles of streets were swept, more than 300 square feet of graffiti were removed, and more than 365 graffiti tags were eliminated.
  
  
• Created 684-CITY, a one-stop, easy-to-remember phone number for service requests and complaints about City government
  
  
• Unveiled a redesigned Citizens Service Bureau website providing access to over 200 different subjects, an on-line City service request form and more.
  
  
• Strengthened the "customer service" ethic in the Citizen Service Bureau to model good citizen service throughout City government

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Human Services Department Flash Card:
"The FLASH Card connects me to a lot of services and discounts in Seattle that I wouldn't necessarily hear about otherwise. It's a very useful, helpful tool." - Melissa