Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell

[Updated: 10/14/09]

Councilmember Harrell Hosts “Roast and Toast” For Retiring Councilmember Richard McIver

Elected Officials and Community Leaders Join In

Thursday, November 5, 2009, 5:30 p.m.,
Columbia City’s Historic Royal Esquire Club,
5016 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle WA

Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, community leaders, and elected officials — including Mayor Greg Nickels and the entire Seattle City Council — will serve as honorary hosts of a “Roast and Toast” for retiring Seattle City Councilmember Richard J. McIver. Richard McIver was appointed to the City Council in early 1997, and was subsequently elected to full four-year terms in November 1997, 2001, and 2005. McIver’s first bill was introduced in February 1997 and he went on to sponsor over 700 Council Bills during his tenure. He currently chairs the City Council’s Housing & Economic Development Committee. He is vice-chair of the Environment, Emergency Management and Utilities Committee and is a member of the Transportation Committee. (From 2004 through 2007, he was the chair of the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee.)

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Proposal includes a rate Increase and increase in spending for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and Capital Improvements Program (CIP)

SEATTLE –On Oct. 2, 2009, the City Council will review a budget summary proposed by Mayor Greg Nickels and presented by Superintendent Jorge Carrasco. The City Council received the budget information on Sept. 28, 2009.

Councilmember Bruce Harrell, Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee has expressed his disappointment in the Mayor’s proposal. “Throughout all city departments, we have asked department heads to reduce their costs and increase efficiencies,” said Councilmember Bruce Harrell. “We have asked employees to assist in this process including personal sacrifices such as work furloughs. Throughout the year, we have delivered several policy directives to City Light with the expectation that they would conduct business in the same way.”

Harrell added that on April 1, 2009, the Utility indicated they had reduced capital expenditures by $43 million and O&M expenses by $21 million. These expenses were reduced with the goal of not jeopardizing the safety and reliability of the existing system.

“I am disappointed that the utility has proposed an overall 3.5 percent increase relative to the adopted 2009 budget and a one percent increase in the previously endorsed 2010 budget. This includes increases in their O&M costs and CIP spending. Changes will be made,” confirmed Harrell.

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