So now that Seattle is going to have a mixed districts and at large City Council, I wonder how it’s going to shake out. I linked this morning to a piece in this morning’s Open Thread on some of the possible political ramifications of that vote. But I’m also curious about what this might mean for how the city is governed. Are there going to be committees that are chaired by at large or, specific districts?
Just looking at the list of committees, it seems like the Central Waterfront, Seawall, and Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program, the South Lake Union, the SR 520 Project, the Town Hall, and the Yesler Terrace committees would be chaired by people who represented those specific geographic areas. You could also argue that there are some that might be downtown heavy like Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology and some that are less so like Parks and Neighborhoods, although obviously there is crime and are parks in all of the districts. There also might be some things that make more sense to be chaired by an at large person: Transportation, City Light Strategic Plan, or the Budget committee.
Also, I wonder how constituent services will work. Presumably most people will go to, or be directed to, their individual council member like happens in Congress or the legislature now. But will the at large members have constituent services related to their committees or just if people aren’t interested in going to the person who represents their district?
The charter amendment merely changed the method of election of council members. It says nothing about council organization or functioning.
My prediction is that council mechanics will be pretty-much unchanged. They will decide among themselves what committees to have, what business each committee will consider, and who will chair each. It’s all internal politics, and it’s fruitless to guess outcomes.
Part of the problem with the current council is that they spend too much time downtown talking to people paid to influence them–City and other agency staff, and professional lobbyists.
District councilmembers will have an incentive to spend a little time out in the neighborhoods once in a while, talking to real people (their constituents) about their issues.
My suggestion is that each of them spend one afternoon a week in one of the neighborhood service centers in their district. Hold regular office hours there. Be accessible.
No more of the BS I was offered some years ago, an appointment 6 weeks later!