seattle city · pdf fileseattle city attorney annual report 2014. 2 table of contents 3...

1

CIVIL DIVISION continued

Seattle City AttorneyAnnual Report 2014

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 StatementfromtheCityAttorney

7 PrecinctLiaisonDivision

12 CivilDivision

29 CriminalDivision

42 AdministrationDivision

3

STATEMENT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY

ThefirstyearofmysecondtermasyourCityAttorneycoincidedwiththefirstyearofMayorEdMurray’sfirstterminoffice.1IamproudtohaveendorsedMayorMurray’scandidacyin2013,andhaveworkedhardtoensurethathisadministrationhasthefullsupportofmyofficeinattackingtheunavoidablelearningcurve.Interdepartmentalcollaborationandteamworkhavealreadyyieldedsignificantresults.

SPD Reform, Chief Kathleen O’Toole and the DOJ Consent DecreeAtaboutthistimein2014,theMayorhadjustannouncedhischoiceofKathleenO’TooleasSeattle’sChiefofPolice—ourfourthchiefinthepastfiveyears.OfficiallytakingthehelmonJune23,2014,O’ToolehasbeguntheprocessofSPD’sculturalandtechnologicaltransformationintoamodern,effectiveandconstitutionalpolicedepartment.Whilethereisstillmuchworktodo,Ihaveseenmuchprogressunderherleadershiptowardfullandeffectivecomplianceunderthefederalconsentdecree2.Inbaseballlingo,inselectingO’Toole,themayor“knockeditoutofthepark.”IthasbeenapleasuregettingdowntoworkwiththetrueprofessionalandcommandpresencethatO’Toolepersonifies.

Ratherthanresistingpolicereform,2014wasthefirstfullyearinwhichSeattletrulyembracedandexploredtheimplicationsofconstitutionalpolicing,informedbythelatestbestpractices.Reportsin2014fromthefederalmonitor,MerrickBobb,indicatethatwhilemuchworkremains,Seattleis

finallyheadedintherightdirection.AssistercitiesacrossthecountrybeginjustnowtograpplewithquestionsraisedaboutAmericanpolicinginthewakeofthedeathsofunarmedblackmeninPasco,Ferguson,Cleveland,Baltimore,NorthCharlestonandelsewhere,Seattlecanbeproudofthestridesmadebyourpolicedepartment.

Citizen Initiatives and Progressives’Ability to Govern2014sawtwoother,simultaneousdevelopmentsinSeattle:Citizensfiledanear-recordnumberofinitiativesforthegeneralelectionballot3,andthenewMayor’sconsensus-buildingleadershipstyle.OurofficehasassistedtheMurrayAdministrationinlaunchingseveralinitiativesusinginnovativetechniquestoarriveatconsensus.Seattleisn’talone,forinstance,asmanyU.S.citieshavestruggledwiththeclashbetweentraditional,licensedtaxiservicesandnew“rideshare”technologiessuchasmobileapp-dispatchedtransportationnetworkcompanies(TNCs)UberandLyft.CityCouncilhadtriedtobalanceequitableandotherserviceconcernsbetweenthesecompetingindustries,onlytowitnesscontinuingcompetitivestrifeinourrapidlygrowingcity.Stateandmunicipallawsplainlyhadnotkeptup

Pete with portrait of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes in D.C.

1EdMurrayisSeattle’s57thMayor;Iamyour30thCityAttorney/CorporationCounsel.

2Theoriginalsignatoriestothe2012Seattle/DOJConsentDecreeincludedthen-MayorMikeMcGinn,then-U.S.AttorneyfortheWesternDistrictofWashingtonJennyDurkan,U.S.DistrictCourtJudgeJamesRobart,andmyself.Onlythelattertwosignatoriesarestillinoffice.

3In2014therewere18proposedinitiatives,sixcharteramendmentsand1referendum.

4

STATEMENT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY continued

withtechnologyandconsumerdemand,butwiththesupportofmyoffice,theTNCtaskforceassembledbytheMayorhelpedtostrikeabalancethatenabledCounciltoenactanimprovedregulatoryframeworktoleveltheplayingfieldforbothtraditionaltaxicabsandTNCs.Ourofficecontinuestoassistregulatorstofine-tuneadministrativerules,andtoenforcebothcivilandcriminalpenaltiesagainstunfair,unsafeoutliers.

IsharetheMayor’surgentdesiretoaddresseconomicdisparitiesinourCity.ThesimpletruthisthatSeattle’sreturntoeconomicprosperityfollowingtheGreatRecessionisnotbeingsharedequally.Seattle’spushtodramaticallyraisetheminimumwageto$15anhourwithoutinflictingundueharmtotherecoveringeconomypresentedanenormous,obviouslycontentious,politicaland legalchallenge.OurlawyerssupportedtheMayor’sIncomeInequalityAdvisoryCommitteeinmuchthesamemanneraswiththeCommitteeonTaxi,For-HireandLimousineRegulations.TheyhelpedcommitteemembersunderstandpertinentlegalconstraintsanddraftedlegislationforCouncil’sconsideration—whilemaintainingstrictestconfidencestoensurefullandunfettereddebateovertheunderlyingsocialandeconomicissues.OurCouncilalsoembracedthe

challenge,andfollowingenactmentofthenation’smostaggressivemunicipalwagehikeinhistory,theinevitablelitigationcommenced.DefendingSeattle’sgame-changing$15minimumwageinitiativehasbeenoneofthemostrewardingbutchallengingeffortsofmyoffice.Iamproudtohavesofarfendedoffthemostaggressiveattackonincomedisparityeverfromequallyaggressiveandwell-fundedlegaloppositiononbehalfoffranchisees.

MostofthelegalchallengeswedefendedinsupportoftheSeattlePreschoolProgram,incontrasttofranchisees’attackonthe$15minimumwageordinance,tookplaceevenbeforevotershadthechancetoselectbetweentwoalternativesontheNovember2013generalelectionballot.AssistantCityAttorneyshadalreadyrenderedadviceontheCity’sauthoritytofunduniversalpreschoolprogramsinWashingtonasCouncilmembersexaminedfirsthandexistingprogramselsewhere.Withourassistance,Councilenactedafully-fundedalternativetoacitizens’initiative.Althoughbothprogressivemeasuresrecognizedthevalueofinvestinginearlychildhoodeducation,resourceswereexpendedfightingovertheballottitleandindefendingmydecisiontopresentvoterswithmutuallyexclusiveballotalternatives—and

eliminatepotentialpost-electionconfusionbetweentheessentiallyunfundedmandaterepresentedbytheinitiativeandthecomprehensivemeasureenactedbytheMayorandCityCouncil.VotersselectedtheCity’spreferredalternativebyasubstantialmargin.

EvennowaprogressiveCityHallisattemptingtotacklewhatIbelievetobeSeattle’smostformidablesocialandlegalproblem:therapidlydisappearingsupplyofaffordable,mixed-incomehousing.Asdensitiessoarthroughnewdevelopment,Seattleisexportingitspoorer,workingresidentstoSouthKingCountyandelsewhere.Fortunately,theMayorandCouncilrecognizethecrisisandarelookingatallavailablemeasurestoaddresstheproblem.OurlanduselawyersareworkingcloselywiththelegislativeandexecutivebranchestoadvancetheworkoftheHousingAffordabilityandLivabilityAgenda(HALA).ThesheeramountofmoneyatstakeindevelopingAmerica’sfastestgrowingcityaccentuatestheneedtogetcitypolicyright—andthatmeansasolidlegalfoundation.Ibelieveinthefundamentalrighttoaffordablehousing,andwillworkhardtomakesurethattheCityAttorney’sOfficeisastrongpartnerincreatingtheSeattleweallwant,withsharedprosperity.Thedecisionswemaketodaywillleaveanindeliblemarkon

Pete at inauguration rehearsal Pete with newly elected Mayor Ed Murray and City Council members Pete as a panelist at a Seattle Channel show

5


Seattlefordecadestocome.Itisvitallyimportantthatprogressiveleadersandactivistsadvanceourcommonvaluesandnotworkatcrosspurposes.Nowmorethanever,theperfectcannothinderthegood.

How Progressive Government Should Work: The Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project and Seawall Replacement ProjectSomeofthebiggestchallengesfacingSeattleatthestartofmysecondtermin2014weretechnological;thebig-gest,mostobviousexamplebeingthestalledtunnelingmachineknownas“Bertha.”WhenonemassivepublicworksprojectsuchastheSR99tunnelprojectimpactsanother—theCity’sSeawallReplacementProject,forinstance—thepotentialtocompoundthelossofpublicresourcesrequiresredoubledeffortsbygovernmentagenciestocoordinateactivitiesandkeeplong-termgoalsfirmlyattheforefront.It’swhenprojectsrunintoproblemsthatcalm,decisiveleadershipismostneed-ed.Interagencydifficultiesanddisputesareinevitable,butwithfirmleadershipatthetopofcity,countyandstategovernments,theycanbeovercomeandcriticalinfrastructureprojectsdelivered.Iembracethe“we’reallinthistogether”approachtoproblemsolvingthatneveroverlooksrisktotheCitywhilekeepinganeyeontheultimategoalofanevermoreviable,efficientand

safeSeattle—theeconomicengineforthestateandtheentirePacificNorthwest.I’mproudofthegroundworkbymyofficesomefouryearsagotocrafteffectivecity-stateagreementsinitially,andcontinuetoadvancetheworkneededwiththecountyandstatetocompletetheproject.

Marijuana & Drug Policy Reform: Implementing I-502 in Washington’s largest cityWashingtonvotersknewtheywereplowingnewgroundindrugpolicyreformbyenactingI-502,mandatingcreationofacompletelynew,seed-to-saleregulatedmarijuanasupplysystemamiduncertaintyoverfederallawandanunregulatedstatemedicalmarijuanaindustry.UnlikeColorado,ithastakenmoretimeforWashington’ssystemtocomeonline.I-502seekstobeatillegalsuppliersinthemarketplace;withjustonestoreopeninSeattlebyJuly2014,however,ithasbeendifficulttodeterminehowandwhentoapplytraditionallawenforcementmeasuresagainstunlicensed,felonyoperationsflourishinginthefaceofunmetdemand.

OurprecinctliaisonattorneyshelpedtoreviewapplicationstothestateLiquorControlBoard,andmyofficeadvisedtheMurrayAdministrationonchallengesthroughouttheCityfromopportunistic,unlicensed

marijuanasales—inbothopen-airdrugmarketsandstorefrontsthinlydisguisedasmedicalmarijuana“collectivegardens.”Bytheendof2014,IhaddraftedlegalandpolicyguidanceforboththeCityandthestateLegislaturetofoldmedicalmarijuanaintothestate-licensedI-502system.MyJan.4,2015memorandum(http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/cityattorney/pr/2015Jan05_MarijuanaMemo.pdf)helpedtosecuremuchoftheneededstatelawchangesinthe2015legislativesession.AttentionnowturnstoeffortsinSeattle,whereI’mconfidentourleadershipcanshowthatI-502’s“NewApproach”canenhancebothpublicsafetyandsocialjustice,asweincreasinglyturnawayasanationfromthefailedWaronDrugs.

Amendment 19: Seattle City Government will be differentSeattleisagaingearingupforchange,witheveryCouncilpositionupforgrabsinarare,unstaggeredelection.Astheresultof2013’svoterinitiative,wearealreadyseeingtheimpactofthereturntodistrictelectionsforsevenofCouncil’sninepositions.TwoincumbentCouncilmembers,NickLicataandTomRasmussen,havedecidednottorunforreelection;athird,SallyClark,hasresignedfromoffice.Amidsuchchangeandanticipatedchange,it’simportant

Pete at the opening of Cannabis City, the first retail marijuana store in Seattle

Administering the oath of office to assistant City attorneys OPA logo Practice swearing in by City Clerk Monica Simmons

6

tohavecontinuityintheCityAttorney’sOffice.IpledgetoworkhardwithbothreturningandnewlyelectedCouncilmemberstofurthertheworkofourmunicipalgovernment.

Regulatory Enforcement & Economic Justice initiativeIn2014IbeganplanningforanewunitwithintheCityAttorney’sOfficetoensurecivil,regulatoryenforcementofbothexistingcityordinancesandnewinitiativeslikepaidsickleave,rentalhousinginspection,andmedicalmarijuanaenforcement—tonameafew.Thoseplansarealmostreadytolaunch,andpromisetoprovideamoreeffectiveclearinghousefortargetedCityenforcementeffortsthatpartnerwithtraditionalcriminallawenforcement.Moreeffective,responsiveoutcomesthatmoveusawayfromanoverrelianceonSPDresourcesisourgoal.

Consolidated CAO Offices at Columbia Center— the lease, the Council vote, and why.IwritethesewordsasaconsolidatedLawDepartmentsettlesinnewofficesinColumbiaCenter,immediatelyadjacenttoCityHall,theSeattleMunicipalTower,SPDheadquartersandSeattleMunicipalCourt.Imadethisdecisionatacrucialtimewhenfavorableleaseratesandothertermswereavailable,andamproudoftheresults.Inparticular,myAdministrationDirector,DanaAnderson,managedthismammothprojectfrombeginningtoendwithgraceandstyle;AssistantCityAttorneyRebeccaKeithdidamagnificentjobpreparingaleasethatfullyprotectsCityinterests.Iam,finally,gratefulforCouncil’snear-unanimoussupportinrelocatingmyentiredepartmentintoefficient,professionalofficespacec.Ibringprivatesectorsensibilitiestothisjob,andthismove

representsamajormilestoneintakingSeattle’slawfirmtothenextlevel.

AsSeattleandtherestofAmericaemergefromtheGreatRecession,IrededicatetheCityAttorney’sOfficetotheprinciplesofsharedprosperityandracialequity.MetropolitangovernmentslikeSeattle’smustleadwhereWashington,D.C.,andOlympiafallshort,andtheRuleofLawmustbetherewithourpolicymakerstoensuretheseegalitariangoalsaremetandsecured.


Pete and former Attorney General Eric Holder at Justice Department in D.C.

Seattle City Attorney

7

PRECINCT LIAISONS DIVISION

West PrecinctTheWestPrecinct,especiallyDowntownSeattle,experiencedsignificantgrowthin2014.PrecinctLiaisonAttorneyDave Lavelle

wasassignedtoWestPrecinctinJune2014.Asthenewliaison,heattendedSPDrollcalls,communitymeetingssuchastheWestPrecinctAdvisoryCouncil,smallermeetingswithneighborhoodsandindividuals,and,withPete,metwithlargerorganizationsacrosstheCity.

Eachyearover300demonstrationsandeventstakeplacewithintheWestPrecinct,fromthe2014SeahawksParadetotheNationalNightOut.DemonstrationsfollowingthegrandjurydecisioninFerguson,MO,resultedinatleast17nightsanddaysofdemon-strationstowardstheendoftheyear,ranginginsizefromsmallcrowdstoseveralthousandpeople.Toensurethesafetyofbothparticipantsandnon-par-ticipants,WestPrecinctsupportedthesedemonstrationsatastaffinglevelrangingfrom100to400officersbasedoninformationandlessonslearnedfrompriordemonstrations.Aspartofthateffort,LavellewaspresentandavailabletotheSPDOperationsCenter

(SPOC),providingsupportasneeded,answeringquestionsfromofficersandrelayinginformationtoothercontactsintheCAO.Despitethenumberandsizeofdemonstrations,andwiththecollab-orativeeffortsofmultipledepartments,therewerecomparativelyfewemer-gencyincidentswhilefreespeechrightswereprotected.

ThroughouttheyearLavellecontinuedtosupportandworkwiththeCenterCityInitiative(CCI)Multi-DisciplinaryTeam(MDT)toaddresstheindividualscausingthegreatestconcerntobusi-nessesandresidents.LedbytheCity’sHumanServicesDepartment(HSD),theMDTcomprisesmembersofSPD,ParksDepartment,theCityAttorney’sOffice,MetropolitanImprovementDistrict(MID),DowntownEmergencyServiceCenter(DESC)andEvergreenTreatmentServices.Inacollaborativepartnership,theMDTdevelopsaplantoengagetheindi-vidualinservicestoprovidetheassistanceneeded.Iftheseeffortsfail,theindividualmaybeprosecutedforcriminalbehaviors.WithPete’sleadership,effortstoaddressthesecomplexissueshavebeenextendedintoSeattleMunicipalCourtwhereappropriateindividualscanbereferredtoMentalHealthCourt,CommunityCourtorVeteransTreatmentCourt.

NORTH PRECINCT

Nora

Lincoln

UnionJohn

Boy

Queen

DavidCharlie

GeorgeKing

Mary

Edward

William

Frank

Ocean

Robert

Sam

EAST PRECINCTWEST PRECINCT

SOUTH PRECINCT

HEADQUARTERS

SOUTHWEST PRECINCT

7

8


WithCriminalDivisionSupervisorAndreaChin,LavellerepresentedtheCAOattheLawEnforcementAssistedDiversion(LEAD)programmeetings.Theprogramallowscertaincrimestobedivertedfromcriminalchargesatthediscretionofthearrestingofficerwhenthesuspectagreestoengageinsocialservicessuchaschemicaldependencyormentalhealthtreatment.Thecollabora-tivesharingofinformationisinvaluableinassistingtheCAOinthemostappropri-atewaytohandlesubsequentoffensescommittedbythosealreadyengagedinLEAD.(SeetheCriminalDivisionreportformoredetailedinformationaboutCAOparticipationinthisprogram.)

TheWashingtonStateLiquorControlBoard(WSLCB)notifiestheCityofallliquorlicenseapplicationstobewithincitylimits.TheCitycommentsinwritingtoWSLCBonnewapplicationsandlicenserenewals.WestPrecinctcontinuestopro-cesswellover400liquorlicenseapplica-tionsandspecialeventlicenseapplicationseachyear.Duringthesummer,Lavelle

workedonaprojecttocomparethecur-rentalcoholenforcementlawsavailableintheSeattleMunicipalCodetothoseavail-ableintheRevisedCodeofWashingtonandtheWashingtonAdministrativeCode.Asaresult,theCityAttorney’sOfficecouldproposeincorporationofseveralnewlawsin2014.Basedon911incidentreports,communityconcernsandpublicsafety,theWestPrecinctwasresponsibleforhalfofthelicenseobjectionsfortheentireCity.Inseveralcases,thoserequestshaveresultedinadditionalrestrictionsbeingplacedontheliquorlicense.

AtPete’sdirection,afterashootinginci-dentinBelltown,theCitytooktherarestepofrequestinganemergencycan-cellationofaliquorlicensewhenitwaslearnedthatboththevictimandsuspectintheshootinghadbeenarmedinsideCellars,thelicensedestablishment.TheCityalsolearnedthatseveralunderageindividualshadbeeninsidetheestablish-mentinviolationofWSLCBrules.Tosup-portitsposition,theCitynotedtherehadbeenseveralincidentsinvolvingassaults

andfirearmsatthelocation.ActingontherequestoftheCity,andafterathoroughinvestigation,theWSLCBrecommendeda14-daysuspensionoflicense.Shortlythereafterthelicensewastransferredtonewownership.

Civilityissuescontinuedtodominatemanyofthecommunitymeetingsin2014.SPDdeployedasquadofofficers,namedtheNeighborhoodResponseTeam,withthetaskofaddressingtheseissuesinthedowntowncore.Aspartofthoseefforts,LavelleworkedwithSPDtostreamlinefilingofchargesasalastresort.Inoneparticularcase,workingwiththeMDT,anindividualrefusedtoacceptsocialservicesuntiltheCAOfiledchargesforfailingtorespondtomultiplecivilinfractions.TheCAOisworkingwithSPDanddowntownstake-holderstoemployindividualized,grad-uatedapproachestoaddressingcivilityissues,usingcriminalchargesonlyasalastresortwhereoutreachandcivilenforcementdonotaddressongoingchronicissues.

North PrecinctOneofthemostsignificantissuesBrendan Brophy workedthroughasNorthPrecinctLiaisonAttorneyin2014involvedahousein

theHallerLakeareathathaddrawnmanycomplaintsaboutsuspecteddrugactivity,excessivegarbageandcon-stanttraffic.Thehousewasfunctioningasatemporaryhomeforthetenant’sfriendsandtheyardhadbecomeatemporarylandfill.BrophycheckedwiththeCityagenciesandlearnedthatallofthemhadalreadyvisitedthehouseinoneform:theDepartmentofPlanningandDevelopment(DPD)hadcompletedsomecursoryinspections;theSPDAnti-CrimeTeam(ACT)teamwaswatchingthehousecarefullyfordrugactivity;andtheSPDCommunityPoliceTeam(CPT)hadcontactedtheresidentsofthehome,warningthemtogetintocompliance.

PRECINCT LIAISONS DIVISION continued

8

Cellars in Belltown

9


Whilemanypeopleclaimedthatresi-dentsofthehouseweretrespassersorsquatters,therewasnoindicationthatthehomehadbeenpreviouslyboardeduporabandoned.Thenextstepwastofindoutiftheywerelegaltenants;todeterminethat,BrophyworkedwithSPDtofindoutwhoownedtheproperty.Anofficertrackeddowntheownerbutwealsolearnedthepropertyitselfwastiedupinabankruptcydeclaration.Despitethelegalproceedings,theownerhadmaintainedlegalownershipoftheprop-erty,butthoughtshehadrelinquishedthepropertyinbankruptcy.

Theowner,whohadrelocatedtoCalifornia,hadstoppedmonitoringtheproperty.Thelastactionshetookwastoleasethehometothecurrenttenant’sbrother.Thecurrenttenanthadmovedinwithhisbrothershortlyafterithadbeenleasedandhelpedshareutilities.Basedonthisinformation,wedeter-minedthatthecurrenttenant(brother)wasalegaltenantandsubjecttoamonth-to-monthtenancy.Hecouldonly

beremovedfromthehomethroughtheevictionprocessundertheResidentialLandlordTenantAct.

Justasthisinformationcametogether,theHallerLakecommunityheldameeting.Brophyexplainedthediffer-encesbetweentenantsandtrespassersanddiscussedwhythepropertydidnotamounttoachronicnuisanceproperty.Everyoneatthemeeting,withtheirnewunderstandingofthehome’slegalstatus,tookupacollectiontoassistthepropertyownerinhiringalandlordtenantattorneytofileevictionproceed-ingsagainsttheoccupants.Theyman-agedtocollectover$1,000onthespot.

Bymid-August,theownerofthehomehadhiredanattorney,whowaswellintotheevictionprocess.Theownerhadalreadyservedtherequirednoticesonthetenantandfiledforeviction.InSeptember,thefinalshowcausehearingforthetenant’sevictionwasheld.Whenthetenantfailedtoappear,theorderwasissuedandtheKingCountySheriffpostednoticethefollowingday.Overthe

nextweek,Brophyvisitedthehomewithofficersandthehomeowner,verifiedthatthetenantshadnotyetvacated.

Asevictiondaygrewcloseritbecameevidentthatremovingthetenantswouldnotsolvealltheproblems.LandUseSectionattorneyTameraVanNesspushedDPDtoissueacitationandexpeditetheabatementprocesstocleanupthehouse.Oncethecitationwasposted,theownerconsentedtoavolun-taryabatement.ThisallowedtheCitytohavethepropertyclearedimmediatelyaftertheeviction.

IntheweeksleadinguptotheevictionBrophyworkedcloselywithSPDtomakesureallthepieceswereinplace.Hemaintainedcontactwiththesheriff’sdeputytoensureallpartieswouldbepresentasrequired.Theowner,withneighborhoodcooperation,securedacontractortoboardupthedoorsandwindowsofthehome.Theownerandneighborhoodvolunteerswouldclearoutanythingofvalueleftbythetenant.CPTconferencedwiththeConservation

Corpstoconfirmtheyhadthetools,namelyalargedumpster,standingbytoclearthegarbageofftheproperty.

Finally,onSept.18,alloftheagenciesheadedouttothepropertyforthe10a.m.eviction.Whentheyarrived,theConservationCorpswassetupandreadytogowithalargedumpsterandabackhoe.Theevictionwentsmoothlyandthetenantsleftpeacefully.Thenthecleanupfrenzybegan,andby3:00pmtheplacewasunrecognizable.Themostgratifyingpartforthepublicservantsinvolvedwasseeinghowgratefulalltheneighborsweretofinallyhavethepropertycleanedupandtheproblemtenantsgone.

Brophyalsoprovidedplanningandon-siteadviceforseveralspecialeventsheldintheNorthPrecinct,namelythe4thofJulycelebrationatGasworksPark,FremontOktoberfest,FremontSolsticeParadeandFair,andtheUniversityDistrictStreetFair.HehelpedtoadviseSPDonapplicablelawsthatvariedontheorganizations’


9

Haller Lake house

10


permissionsandintendeduseofthelocation,andtoeducatetheorganiza-tionsonwhatactionsSPDcouldtakeversuswhattheireventsecuritywouldberesponsiblefor.Manyoftheissuesinvolvedtrespassing,marijuanaandalcoholuse,andprotesting.

BrophyalsohelpedaddressissueswiththeAquaDiveinLakeCity.Thisprop-ertywasonceavibrantrecreationalcenter,butithadbeenabandonedinrecentyears.Eventhoughtheprop-ertywasfencedinandthebuildingwasboardedup,peoplestillgotpastthefencingtobreakintothebuilding.AfterrepeatedattemptsbytheownertoboardupthebuildingandSPDtoremovetrespassers,thebuildingdeteri-oratedsomuchthatnoonecouldenterthebuildingsafely.Brophyhelpedcoor-dinatewithDPD,SPDandtheownerstogettheproperpermittingtoallowtheownertobegindemolition.Eventhoughthepropertyisnowjustanemptylot,itisasignificantimprovementoverwhatthebuildinghadbecome.

Southwest PrecinctMatt YorktookoverforMelissaChinasSouthwestPrecinctLiaisonAttorneyin2014.Heimmediatelycollaboratedwith

policecommandstaff,theKingCountyProsecutor’sOfficeandtheCommunityPoliceTeam(CPT)toaddressissuesattheWestwoodVillageshoppingcenter.Thebusinessestherewereexperiencingalargegroupofrepeatjuvenileoffend-erstrespassing,harassingcustomersandcommittingtheft.Throughcoop-erationwiththelocalbusinesses,thischronicissuewasgreatlyreducedandcriminalactivityallbutvanished.Yorkalsostartedworkonsomenuisanceresidentialproperties,withseveralsuccessesintheremovalofproblemresidentswiththehelpofthepropertyowners.Whilethesepropertiescon-tinuetosurface,YorkcontinueshiseffortsinthecomingyeartoimprovethequalityoflifeofthoselivingintheSouthwestPrecinct.

Whiletherearestillseveralareasoftroubleintheprecinct,YorkhasbegunworkwiththeCPTandcommandstafftoaddressenvironmentalissuessuchaspoorlighting,overgrownareas,unusedpayphoneboothsandpoorlyplacedbusstops.YorkandSPDareworkingtohavelightsreplacedwithLEDbulbsandpropertyownertoremoveplantgrowthtoincreasevisibility.YorkhasalsorespondedtoquestionandconcernsoftheCityCouncilandthecommunityregardingmarijuanaregulationandcom-plicationsfromitsdecriminalization.

South PrecinctYorkalsocoverstheSouthPrecinctfortheCityAttorney’sOffice.Startinginthesummer,themayorandseveralcodecomplianceagenciesbegantheir“Findit,Fixit”walksintheprecinct.Thesewalks,ledbySPD,wereanavenueforthepublictocommunicatedirectlywiththeirelectedofficialsandcityemployeesaboutrealconcernsintheircommunity.Peteattendedalloftheseeventstomakecertainthatourofficewasavailableto

hearconcernsandworkonsolutions.Followingthewalks,twounlicensedmarijuanadispensariessubjecttomanycomplaintsclosedandseveralunmain-tainedpropertieshadvegetationclearedandgraffitipaintedover.

YorkhasalsobeeninvolvedintheimplementationofI-502andlegalizedmarijuanabusinessesinproduction,processingandsale.ThemajorityofapplicationshavefallentotheSouthPrecinctduetothelimitedlocationsavailableunderstatelaw.YorkandtheCPTreviewedeachapplicationaspartofacitywidecooperativeefforttofosterasafelyregulatedlegalmarijuanamarket.YorkhasalsoworkedwiththeMayor’sOfficeonenforcementoptionsforregu-latingallmarijuanasalesinSeattle.

Codecompliancecontinuestobealiaisonresponsibility.Chin,York’sprede-cessor,hadobjectedtotheliquorlicenseforMayBonPhuong.Yorkcontinuedtoshepherdthisobjection,whichsucceededastheownervoluntarilywithdrewtheapplication.Yorkalsometwithseveral


10

Ocktoberfest run in Fremont 4th of July at Gasworks Park

11


neighborhoodsaboutlocalizedproblemstoworkonindividualizedsolutionstotheseissues.

East PrecinctOneofBeth Gappert’sfocusesastheEastPrecinctLiaisonAttorneyisaddress-ingpublicsafetyissuesaroundhookah

bars.Twooftheseestablishments,CasablancaandtheRoyalSpot,wereatthesameintersection.InearlyJune2014,ahomicideoccurredintheparkinglotoftheRoyalSpot.TheMayor’sOfficeaskedtheCity’sregulatorydepartmentsandSeattle-KingCountyPublicHealthtodoaone-nightmassenforcementofregulatoryinspectionsatthesebusi-nesses.GappertadvisedthepolicechiefandMayor’sOfficeonthelegaloptionsavailabletotheCityandworkedwithdepartmentsonenforcement.Eachbusi-nessreceivedseveralnoticesofviolationforfailingtocomplywithCitycodes.

TheCityalsowroteletterstothebusinessandpropertyownersofeachhookahbar,warningthemthatthepolicechiefwasconsideringdeclaringtheirpropertiestobechronicnuisancesundertheSeattleMunicipalCode.TheEastPrecinctcaptainandGappertmetwiththeownersofCasablancaandtheirlandlord.Thelandlordinitiatedevictionproceedingsagainstthebusinessbuteventuallysettledthecase,allowingthetenantstoremain.TheRoyalSpotclosed

shortlyafterthelettersweresent.WhileCasablancaremainsinbusiness,theviolenceassociatedwithithasdeclineddramatically.

AnotherlongtimepublicsafetyissueintheEastPrecinctwasWaid’s,anight-clubat1212E.JeffersonSt.TheCityhadobjectedtoWaid’sliquorlicenseonfiveoccasions.ThroughYork’shardworkwhenhewasEastPrecinctLiaison,theLiquorControlBoardfinallyrevokedtheliquorlicenseinearlyJune2014.Waid’sclosedforbusinesslaterthatmonth.

GappertalsoworkedontheCAO’sproposalforanalternativetotraditionalcriminaljusticeprocessesbasedonarestorativejusticemodel.Restorativejusticeisaface-to-face,facilitateddia-loguepracticesthatincluderestorativecircles,peacemakingcircles,restorativemediations,familygroupconferencing,andsometraditionaldisputeresolutionpractices.Inrestorativejustice,anindi-vidualaccusedofacrimemeetswiththepersonharmed,communitymembersaffectedbytheharm,andfamilymem-bersandothersupportersoftheparties.Throughfacilitateddialogue,thepartic-ipantsdiscusstheconsequencesoftheevent,itsimpactandharms,theneedsandintereststhatarise,andtheneedsandintereststhatgaverisetotheeventitself.Theparticipantsthendevelopaconsensus-basedactionplanthataddressestheneedsofallparticipants,repairsharms,restoresrelationships,andaddressesunderlyingconditions

topreventfutureincidentsandmakestransformativechanges.

Theactionplanrequirestheaccusedpersonto“setthingsright,”ifpossi-ble,withtheperson(s)harmed;thoseaffectedinthefamilyandcommunity;andtheaccused.Inpre-filingdiver-sioncases,providedtheactionplaniscompleted,chargesareneverfiled.Thisprojectisstillindevelopment,butiftheCAOproceeds,wewillhand-selectcasesthatmeetourfilingstandardsanddivertthosecases,beforefiling,toarestorativejusticeagency.Alloftheparties,includingthevictim,wouldneedtoagreetotherestorativejusticediver-sionbeforeprosecutorswoulddivertthecase.TheCAObelievesthattherestorativejusticeprocesscouldbenefitboththesuspectandtheotherpeopleaffectedbycriminalactions.

High-Risk Victims/NarcoticsUnliketheotherliai-sonattorneys,Heidi Sargentisn’tgeo-graphicallyrestricted.That’sbecausehertitle,Narcoticsand

High-RiskVictimsLiaison,takesheralloverSeattle.

Inthisrole,SargentworkstoendthedemandforprostitutioninSeattle.TheCAOannounceditschangeinempha-sisinthefightagainstprostitutionovertwoyearsago,emphasizingenforce-mentagainstsexbuyersratherthan

prostitutedpeople.Sincethen,theCAOhasbeenworkingwithSPDandnon-gov-ernmentalorganizationstoenddemandinourcity.Infall2014,theCAOjoinedforceswiththeKingCountyProsecutingAttorney’sOfficeinthiseffort.Byfocus-ingonprosecutingthosewhocreatethedemandforprosecution—thesexbuyers—andincreasingservicesandoutreachtoprostitutedpeople,wearecreatingopportunitiestoescapethelifeandendthedownwardspiral.

Sargentalsoworkedonchangingthelan-guageofprostitutiontoreflectthetruenatureofthecrimesinvolvedbyupdat-ingthenameoftheCity’sordinanceregardingsexbuyingfrom“PatronizingaProstitute”to“SexualExploitation.”Shealsoworkedoneffortstochangethelawatthestateleveltoincreasethepenaltiesforsexbuying.

Inherroleasnarcoticsliaison,Sargentworkedontwolegislativeproposals.Theproposalinvolvedhashoil,alsoknownasmarijuanaconcentrates.Priorto2015,Washingtonlawdefinedmarijuanacon-centratesinawaythatexcludedmanytypesofhashoil,allowingpossessionofupto72ounces(anamountofhashoilworthsomewhereasmuchas$50,000ormore).SargentworkedwithCityandoutsidestakeholderstoredefinemar-ijuanaconcentratestoincludeallhashoil,loweringthepossessionlimitto7grams,amuchmorereasonableamountforpersonaluse.


11

12

TheCivilDivisionistheCity’slawfirm.Daily,the50-pluslawyersinthedivi-sionprovidelegaladviceandrepresentationoneverythingfromaffordablehousingtoconstitutionalpolicingtotheSR99tunnelandseawallconstruc-tiontomarijuanaregulation.AstheCity’sin-houselawfirm,theCivilDivisionprovideshigh-qualitylegaladviceandlitigationserviceswithoutthehighpricetagofaprivatelawfirm.Casesandprojectshandledbythedivisionin2014included:

• Duwamish Cleanup:IntheindustrialheartofSeattleisafederalSuperfundSitecomprisingthelowersixmilesoftheDuwamishwater-way.AttorneysintheEnvironmentalProtectionSectionhavebeenadvis-ingtheCityregardingthissiteforoveradozenyearsandarenowguidingtheallocationofcostsforthecleanup(estimatedatover$340million)toresponsibleparties.

CIVIL DIVISION

13


• DOJ SPD Settlement Agreement:AsSPDrisestothechallengeofmeetingitsobligationsunderthefederalconsentdecree,lawyersfromtheCivilDivisionnegotiatewiththeU.S.DepartmentofJusticeandtheMonitoringTeamandhelpguidethePoliceDepartmenttofullcompliance.

• Waterfront-Tunnel-Seawall:Seattleisoncoursetoremakeitswaterfronttomakesureitsresidentsaresafe,itstransportationneedsaremet,anditsnaturalbeautyisavailabletoall.LawyershelptheCitynavigatethecomplicatedpartnershipsandrisksthataccompanysuchanenduringchange.

CivilDivisionattorneysalsorecovermoneyfortheCityintaxes,damagesandenforcementpenalties.In2014,ourcollectionsandtortsattorneysrecovered$1,807,825.01indamagesowedtotheCity.Divisiontaxlawyerscollected$1,222,191.15indisputedtaxes.OurLandUseSectioncollected$134,679.45inenforcementpenaltiesforlanduseviolations.

CONTRACTS AND UTILITIES SECTION

The Contracts and Utilities Section provides legal advice, handles litigation, drafts agreements and legis-lation for all City departments to support a wide variety of capital projects, real property transactions, purchas-ing, and intellectual property matters that help the City

carry on its business operations. This section also pro-vides advice to the City’s own electric, water, drainage and solid waste utilities—Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). Clients frequently draw upon the practical and business experience of section lawyers as well as the particularized knowledge of the utilities lawyers to support the complex operations of the City, its utilities and any resulting litigation.

Representative Litigation: ThesectionhandlescontractlitigationandlitigationagainstSeattle’stwoutilities:CityLightandSPU,aswellasprojectsandadvice.Belowisasamplingofprojectsandcases:

• Oregon Tax: CityLightelectricityflowsacrossstatelines.InNovember2014,ourattorneysarguedbeforetheOregonSupremeCourtthatOregontaxeswereimproperlyassessedagainstSeattleCityLight.

• Pacific Northwest Refund: Theeffectsoftheenergycrisisliveon.TheCityhasbeenpursuingrefundsfromenergysalesmadeinthePacificNorthwestbetweenDecember1999andJune2001whenEnronandotherswereovercharging.AlthoughtheFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommissionhasdeniedtherefunds,theCityisappealingtothe9thCircuitU.S.CourtofAppeals.

Representative Projects and Contracts:• Bonds: Sectionattorneysworkedwiththe

DepartmentofFinanceandAdministrativeServicesandoutsidebondcounseltoissueapproximately$397millionworthofnewand$220millionworthofrefinancedgeneralobligationandrevenuebondsfortheCity.

• Boundary Dam:CityLightisrebuildingpartofitsdaminIdaho.OurattorneysassistedCityLightinadifficultcontractnegotiationover$1.2millioninliquidateddamageschargedtothecontractorwhenitwaslateinmeetingthecompletiondate.

• Bullitt Foundation:SectionattorneysworkedwithCityLighttonegotiateapowerpurchaseagreementtobuyenergyefficiencycreatedbytheBullittCenter.

• Bicycle Sharing Program: SectionattorneyshavehelpedestablishtheCity’sbicyclesharingprogramsthroughadviceongrantsandnegotiationofthecontract.

• Cable Communications Code Revisions: TheCity’sCableCodeneededmodernizingtoremovebarrierstonewentrantsintothecabletelevisionmarket,whilemaintainingtheCity’sregulatoryauthorityandenhancingconsumerprotections.

Looking over the top of the Bullitt CenterSeattle Seawall project

14


• City Light and Cable Franchise Negotiations:Comcast’scabletelevisionfranchisewiththeCityexpiresinJanuary2016,leadingtonegotiationswithComcastandCenturyLinktoestablishand/orrenewthefranchise.During2014,thecitiesofShorelineandBurienalsograntedCityLightnew15-yearfranchiseagreements.Newlong-termfranchisesforLakeForestPark,SnohomishCounty,KingCountyandRentonareundernegotiationandlikelywillbeexe-cutedin2015and2016.

• Emergency Management:Sectionattorneyscon-tinuedtoimprovetheLawDepartment’semergencymanagementresponsecapabilities.During2014theystaffedtheCity’sEmergencyOperationsCenterandSPD’sSPOCduringseveralemergencyeventactivationsprotests.

• First Hill Streetcar: SectionattorneysadvisedonandnegotiatedagreementsfortheoperationandmaintenanceoftheSeattleStreetcarthatwillallowitsextensiontoFirstHill.

• Interlocal Agreements to Update Regional Public Safety Emergency Radio Network: ThepublicsafetyradiosystemusedbySeattle’sfirstrespondersispartofaregionalsystembuiltinthe1990s.Thesystemisagingandwillsoonbeunsupportedbythevendor.

WehelpedcraftaninterlocalagreementwithKingCountyandadozenotherlocaljurisdictionstobuildandimplementanewregionalradiosystemeventu-allyoperatedandmaintainedbyagovernment-cre-atednon-profit.

• Mercer Street Projects:Since1960stheCityhasstruggledtobringaboutchangetothe“MercerMess.”During2013,constructingtheeasternsegmentofthenewtwo-wayMercerStreetwascompleted.During2014,thewesternsegmentoftheprojectmovedforward,withthegoalofextendingatwo-wayMercerStreetfromI-5toElliottAvenue.Sectionattorneyshaveprovidedcontinuouslegalsupporttothisnewproject,whichwillcontinueMercerStreetasatwo-wayenhancedtransportationcorridor.

• North Recycling and Disposal Station:SPU’scon-structionofthis$60milliontransferandrecyclingstationcommencedduring2014.WehaveprovidedlegaladviceandcontractdraftingassistancetotheclientandhelpeddevelopnegotiatingstrategieswhenthecontractorandSPUwerehavingdifficultyagreeingonthecontractpriceforthework.

• Oso Landslide Interagency Response:OurattorneysrepresentedtheCityandCityLightinnegotiationswithWSDOT,stateDepartmentof

NaturalResources,SnohomishCounty,andtheDarrington&ArlingtonSchoolDistrictsforCityLight’sTransmissionCorridorRoadforanemergencyrerouteforSR530affectedbytheOsoLandslide.Thenegotiationsresultedinconsentagreementswiththestate.

• PC1-North Project:Sectionattorneysnegotiatedagreementsthatwillallowfordevelopinganewmixed-usepublicmarketbuildingthatincludesstruc-turedparking,low-incomehousingandpublicopenspaceandconnectionstothewaterfrontonpropertythattheCitywillconveytoPikePlaceMarketPDA.

• Transit Service Funding: InNovember2014,SeattlevoterspassedSTBDProposition1tofundtransitser-vicehoursthatwouldotherwisebeeliminatedbyKingCountyMetroinSeattle.Afterpassage,theCityandKingCountyenteredintocontractnegotiationsfortheprovisionofover123,000annualtransitservicehours.SectionattorneysassistedtheDepartmentofTransportation(SDOT)withlegaladvice,negotia-tions,andcontractdrafting,andwithlegislationforapprovingthismajortransitproject.

Real Property Sectionattorneysprovidedongoingadviceonpur-chases,dispositions,andleasesofrealpropertyrelated

First Hill Streetcar at Marion and Broadway Mercer Project rendering Oso landslide

15


toparkandutilityoperations,andlandmanagementissues,includingeasements,encroachments,trespassandillegaldumping.Highlightsinclude:

• AdvisingSCLonexecutionofitssurpluspropertysalesprogram,includingdrafting,reviewandeditingofordi-nances,purchaseandsaledocumentsfornegotiatedandcompetitivebidsalesofformersubstationproper-ties,includingcompletedsalesoftheHill,Wedgwood,Greenlake,BeverlyandBoulevardParkSubstationpropertiesandfinalizingofordinancedocumentsforsaleortransferoftheformerAmbaum,Andover,Dakota,Delridge,Dumar,Fauntleroy,Glendale,andWhiteCentersubstationproperties.

• AssistingCityLight’sEnvironmentalAffairsDivision(EAD)onavarietyofconservationpropertyrealestatematters,includingatleastseveralseparatepurchasesofEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA)andFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommission(FERC)licensemitigationfishandwildlifehabitatlands,grantingofstateSalmonRecoveryFundingBoardDeedsofRight,transferofDNRTrustLands,ease-ments,encroachments,andunpermitted/habitat

protectionincompatibleusesonSCLSkagit,Sauk,andNooksackRiverfloodplainproperties.

• AssistingtheParksDepartmentonthepropertytransfersandagreementsoccasionedbythelossofCityparklandasaresultoftheSR520projectthatwillresultinthecreationofanewwaterfrontparkintheUniversityDistrictinadditiontorestoredopenspaceoncetheSR520projectconcludes.

• Alaskan Way Viaduct Bored Tunnel: During2013,thestateanditscontractorbeganminingtheboredtunnelthatwillreplacetheAlaskanWayViaduct.Whilethetunnelisastatehighwayproject,over15contractsbetweentheCityandstaterequireSeattletobeheavilyinvolvedinrelocationofCityutilities,roadwayandtraf-ficcontrol,whichmustbecoordinatedwiththestate’sproject.Sectionattorneysassistedindevelopingthosecontractsandsinceconstructionbegan,havecontinuedtoprovideguidanceandadviceonthemeaningandimplementationofcontractprovisionsandlawsgovern-ingthelegalrelationshipsbetweentheCityandstate.InDecember2013,thetunnelboringmachinebrokedown.Throughout2014,allminingoperationsceased

andremovingandrepairingtheboringmachinebegan.InOctober2014,thestate’scontractorbeganexcavat-inga120-feetpittoreachthedamagedmachine.Aspartofthatexcavation,thecontractorbeganamassiveundergrounddewateringoperationthatpumpedover500gallonsofwaterperminutedeepundertheexca-vationwork.Thatdewateringisbelievedtohavecausedsettlingofthegroundthataffectedseveralmilliondollars-worthofCitywaterandsewerpipes.SectionattorneyshavealsocontinuedtoadviseCityLightandSPUonissuesregardingtheprotectionandrelocationoftheirfacilities,andotherissuesinvolvedwithimple-mentingtheircontractswiththestate.

• Elliott Bay Seawall Replacement Project:TheCity’s$300millionElliottBaySeawallReplacementProjectstartedconstructioninlate2013undercomplexcontracts.ThisprojectrequiresimplementationofcontractobligationstocoordinatewiththestateonitstunnelprojectandferryoperationsattheColmanDockandourattorneyswereheavilyinvolved.WealsoadvisedSDOT,SPUandCityLightinfinalizingandimplementingtheirinterdepartmentalagreementsregardingcostallocationandotherresponsibilitiesfor

First Hill Streetcar: Overhead Electrical Work Bertha tunneling machine

16


thisCity-ledproject,andmediatedinterdepartmentaldifferencesastheyarose.

• Local Improvement District: TheCitycontinuestoconsideralocalimprovementdistrict(LID)topayforcertainwaterfrontimprovements.Sectionattorneyshaveworkedcloselywithavarietyofdepartmentstoexploreallavailableoptionsandlegalrisk.Oncecom-pleted,theLIDwillfundaportionofthe“WaterfrontforAll,”oneofthemostsignificantcivicprojectsintheCity’shistory.

EMPLOYMENT SECTION

The 10 attorneys in the Employment Section assist the City’s executives, managers and human resources professionals as they navigate the complicated matrix of employment laws, collective bargaining agree-ments, civil service regulations and City policies that apply to roughly 10,000 City employees. In 2014, the Employment Section expanded to provide additional day-to-day on-site assistance to SPD. We also serve as the City’s in-house counsel for all workers’ com-pensation matters.

The Employment Section attorneys are also top-notch litigators, defending the City (and sometimes its

employees) in court, before administrative agencies, in arbitration, and in mediation. As counselors, we help our clients comply with the laws and our contract obli-gations. And as litigators, we stand behind our clients, advocating for the City’s best interests.

AdviceHowshouldtheCity’snewMinimumWageOrdinancebeimplemented?Howshouldweworkwithanemployeewhomayhaveadisability?Shouldourdepartmentinvestigateanemployeecomplaint,andifso,how?WilloureffortstoaccomplishCityRaceandSocialJusticeInitiativegoalsconflictwithourcollectivebargainingagreements?Isitlegal?Isitwise?Whatareouroptions?

EmploymentSectionattorneysconsidersuchques-tionsdaybydaythroughouttheyear.Theattorneysstrivetoprovidesolidlegal,pragmaticadvicethatallowsCityoperationstoproceedefficientlyandfairly.TheEmploymentattorneysmonitordevelop-mentsindiverseaspectsofemployment,labor,andworkers’compensationlaw.Withacollaborativeapproachwithinthesection,theattorneystakeadvan-tageofexpertiseonsuchtopicsastheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct,theWashingtonLawAgainst

Discrimination,wageandhourlaws,personnelrules,workers’compensationstatutes,andtheWashingtonandUnitedStatesConstitutions.

Citymanagersandemployeestypicallyarededicated,conscientiouspublicservantswhofacedifficultdailychallenges.Employmentattorneysserveastrustedadvisorsasmanagersconfrontpersonnelissues.

In2014,ouradviceworkincludedevaluatingdis-ciplinaryoptionsformisconductbypoliceofficersandotheremployees,helpingtoidentifyreasonableoptionsforaccommodatingdisabilities,andguidinginvestigationsintoclaimsofharassmentanddiscrim-ination.Wegavehighlyspecializedandtechnicaladviceonmanagementofworkers’compensationcases.Wehelpeddeterminewhenmanagerscouldchangepoliciesthatconcernemployeesandwhensuchchangesmustbebargainedwithunions.

In2014,theEmploymentSectioncontinuedtodevelopitsexpertiseintheuniqueandgrowingfieldoflocallabor-standardsregulation.TheCityhasfocusedincreasinglyonestablishingminimumstandardsforprivateemployers,throughsucheffortsasthebreak-through$15-an-hourMinimumWageOrdinanceandourPriorityHirelegislation.Employmentattorneys

Advocates lobbying City Council for a $15 minimum wage law

17


haveplayedanintegralroleindevelopingandimple-mentingsuchreforms.

LitigationEmploymentdisputessometimesleadtolitigation,andtheEmploymentSectionattorneysrepresenttheCityinfederalandstatecourts—fromtheinitialresponsetolawsuits,throughextensivediscovery,inmotionpractice,throughtrial,andallappeals.Theattorneysprovidethesameserviceinadmin-istrativeforums,includingthePublicEmploymentRelationsCommission,bothofSeattle’sCivilServiceCommissions,inarbitration,andinanyotherarenathatemployeesorunionsmightpresstheirclaims.Afewexamples:

Employees v. City SomecasesdemonstratethevalueofpatienceandtenacitybytheCity’slawyers.Our2012and2013AnnualReportsdescribedlengthy,vigorouslylitigatedclaimsassertedbytwoCityemployees.Foryears,thecaseproceededonaslowandcontentiousjourneythroughthelegalsystem.In2014,thematterfinallysawitsconclusion.

Theemployeesallegedthattheyhadbeentreatedpoorlythroughdisciplineandlostadvancementoppor-tunities—notbecausetheyhadengagedinmisconductbutbecauseoftheirsexualorientation,gendersordisabilities.TheCityprevailedinvirtuallyeveryphase,becausethedepartment’spromotionaldecisionswerereasonableandthoroughlydocumented.

In2012,theEmploymentteamobtaineddismissalofmostclaimsassertedinthelatest,state-courtlawsuit.Notably,theSuperiorCourtjudgeaffirmedtheCity’srighttoevaluateevidenceoftheplaintiffs’allegedmen-taldistresswhentheplaintiffsseekcompensationforsuchdistress.In2013,theplaintiffsfiledan“interloc-utoryappeal”intheCourtofAppeals.Theyaskedthe

courttoreviewthetrialjudge’sdecisions,eventhoughthecasehadnotyetconcludedatthelowerlevel.TheCourtofAppealsdeniedtheappeal.ThisnaturallyledtoaSupremeCourtappeal,contendingthattheCourtofAppealsandthetrialcourtwerebothwrong.TheSupremeCourt,too,ruledintheCity’sfavor.Notsatisfied,theplaintiffsfiledyetanotherSupremeCourtbrief,askingtheCourtto“modify”itsearlierruling.InDecember,2013,theSupremeCourtagreedwiththeCityagain,deniedtheplaintiff’smotion,andreturnedthecasetoSuperiorCourt.

Thefinallegalbattleoccurredin2014and,onceagain,theCityprevailed.TheSuperiorCourtaffirmedthattheplaintiff’sclaimswerenowsominimalthatthemattershouldbesentformandatoryarbitration.ThepartiesthenresumedsettlementdiscussionsandresolvedthecaseonfavorabletermsfortheCity.ThehardworkandtenacityoftheCityattorneyswasultimatelywellrewarded.

Engineer v. City and CEOHere,EmploymentSectionattorneysteamedwithoutsidecounseltoobtainacompletedefenseverdictinajurytrialinKingCountySuperiorCourt.AformerCityLightengineer,whohadtakenajobwiththeParksDepartment,twiceappliedtoreturntoCityLightinmanagerialpositions.WhenCityLightdidnotre-hireitsformeremployee,theemployeesued,allegingthatshewasthevictimofaretaliatoryconspiracy.Itwastruethat,yearsearlier,theemployeehadcooperatedinaCityLightinternalreviewofagender-discriminationissue.Buttheemployee’shypothesis—thatshewasnotre-hiredbecauseCityLightanditsCEOboreagrudgeagainsther—wasnotsupportedbythefacts.

Thelengthytrialconcludedwithan11-1verdictfortheCityandCityLight’sCEO.ThecaseisnowbeforetheWashingtonCourtofAppeals.

Police Discipline AppealEmploymentattorneysrepresentSPDinallappealsthatchallengedisciplineimposeduponpoliceofficers.TheCitybearstheburdenofproofwhenitseekstosustainthedisciplinarydecisionsbythepolicechief.Occasionally,despitethebesteffortsoftheattorneysandCitymanagement,wereceiveanadversedecision.Eveninlosses,however,thereisvalueinsupportingthechief’sgoalsandobjectivesinimprovingSPDanditsdeliveryofpolicingservicestothepublic.

Onedifficultcasein2014arosefromawell-publicizedencounterbetweenapoliceofficerandaSeattleresi-dentdetainedfollowingahit-and-runaccident.Thesus-pectcompliedwiththeofficers’instructionsforatime,butbecameuncooperative.Anotherofficerarrivedtoassist,raisedhisvoiceto“command”levels,andplacedthesuspectinhandcuffs.Thesuspectcomplainedthathewasbeingchokedandthenspatupontheofficer.Theofficerthenhitthesuspecttwice,causingsignificantfacialinjuries.FollowinganinvestigationbytheOfficeofProfessionalAccountability,thepolicechiefimposedaneight-daysuspensionupontheofficerfor(a)escalatingtheconflict,and(b)excessiveuseofforce.

AnattorneyfromtheEmploymentSectionpresentedthefactstoaDisciplinaryReviewBoard,opposedbycounselretainedbytheSeattlePoliceOfficersGuild.Althoughmuchoftheofficer-suspectinteractionwascapturedbydash-camvideo,acriticalportionofthealtercationwasobscured.Theboardcreditedtheoffi-cer’sversionoftheinteractionandfoundheemployedself-defensetacticsinresponsetoathreatposedbythesuspect.TheEmploymentattorneysrespectfullydisagreedwiththeoutcome,whichwasfinalandnotappealable.Thereisconsiderablevalue,however,inoureffortstosupportSPDasitworkstoensureaccountabilityduringdifficultsituations.

18


Workers Compensation

During2014,theworkers’compensationpracticegroupcontinuedtoprocessahighvolumeofcases.Somecasesareroutine,involvingsuchdisputesasdisagreementoverthecauseofmedicalproblems(wasitwork-relatedornot?).Otherworkers’compcasesaremorecomplexandunique:Doessurveillancefootageofanemployeeindicatethatheorsheisbeinguntruthfulabouttheirinjuries?Thesection’sgoalistohelptheCity’sworkers’compensationunitfulfillitsprimarymission;whichistoensurethatemployeesgetthebenefitstowhichtheyareentitled,whileatthatsametime,responsiblyprotectingtheCity’sresourcesfrominvalidclaims.

Alternative Dispute ResolutionEmploymentattorneysrecognizethesignificantvalueinAlternativeDisputeResolution,whichcanleadtoresultsacceptabletoboththeemployeesandman-agement.Theyarefrequentlyengagedinmediationefforts,bothpriortoandduringlitigation.InonecaseanattorneyassistedthebenefitsunitintheCityPersonnelDepartmentasitrespondedtothreatenedlitigationoverinsurancecoverageforbehavioraltherapiesforcertaindisorders.Thematterrequiredcoordinationwiththeattorneysforpotentialclass-actionplaintiffs,City

managers,andothergovernmentagencies.Insteadofleadingtolitigation—withpotentialdamagesandattor-ney-feeobligations—theEmploymentSectionenabledafairandreasonablesettlementoftheissues.Inappropri-atecases,thebestoutcomefortheCitycanbeobtainedwithoutlitigationcosts.

TrainingEmploymentattorneyshavecontinuedtoleadandassistwithtrainingforotherCityemployees.ThesetrainingsessionsoccurthroughtheCity’sPersonnelDepartmentordirectlythroughindividualdepartments.Employmentattorneystakeanactiveroleinhelpingplananddeveloptrainingprograms.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Attorneys in the Environmental Protection Section advise City leaders and staff regarding every type of environmental law. An inspector in the Drainage and Wastewater Utility may call when a business is washing trucks and letting the dirty water run into the storm drain, a violation of the City’s Stormwater Ordinance. Environmental attorneys help inspectors draft Notices of Violation and later may represent the utility in municipal court.

AnothercallcouldbefromstaffintheSeattleDepartmentofTransportation(SDOT)thathavediscov-eredcontaminationwhiledoingworkonaCitystreetorevenhavefoundalong-forgottenundergroundstoragetank.Anenvironmentalattorneywouldadvisethemhowtocomplywithstateandfederalreportingrequirements,thingstoconsiderbeforecleaningupthecontaminationorremovingtheundergroundtank,andhowtolegallydisposeofwhattheyremove.

FrequentlyenvironmentalattorneysadviseCitydepartmentshowtoreducetheriskthattheCitymustpayforcleaningupcontamination.IftheParksDepartmentwantstopurchasepropertythatmayhavebeencontaminatedbyaformerbusiness,envi-ronmentalattorneysmayhelpdraftthepurchaseandsaleagreementtokeeptheformerownerresponsibleforcleaningupanycontaminationdiscoveredlater.

Environmentalhealthwasanewtopicaddressedbyenvi-ronmentalattorneysin2014.Theydidextensiveresearchandadvisedonissuessuchasthecontinuingdangersfromleadpaintandtheeffectofothercontaminantsonchildren’sneurologicaldevelopment.AttorneysidentifiedchangestotheCity’sHousingCodethatwouldreducechildren’sexposuretotoxicsinhomesanddaycares.

Wetlands at Magnuson Park, a former clean-up site

19

THE ONCE-MEANDERING DUWAMISH RIVER

In1906,theDuwamishRivercurvedandtwistedthroughthemudflatsofSeattle.Tenyearslater,likeastringpulledtaut,itwasnearlystraight.NowshipscouldmovecargoeasilyfromElliottBaytoindustriesalongtheDuwamish“waterway,”nolongerarivereveninname.Theformerloops,oroxbows,werefilledwithmuddredgedfromthechannel,leavingstubbyprotrusions,likebranchescutoffnearthetrunk.Thesebecameslipsforbargestomoorwhilebeingloadedandunloaded.

Theriverwaschannelizedtopromoteeconomicgrowthandthatgoalwasmet.Meat-packingplants,dairiesandsawmillsperchedonthebanksanddumpedwastesinthewater.Theygavewaytosteelmills,airplaneandtruckfactories,asphaltplantsandbarrelrecyclers.Thewaterwayreceivedwastesfromallofthem.TheresidentsofSeattlesenttheirwastethere,too.SewageandstormwaterfloweddirectlyintotheDuwamish.

In1940,theCitybuiltthefirstsewagetreatmentplantontheDuwamish.Treatmentinthosetimesaddressedbiologicalwastes,notchemicalones.Plus,thesurgeofdevelopmentduringWWIIquicklyoutstrippedtheplant’scapacity,sothatmuchofthearea’ssewagefloweddirectlyintothewaterway.In1959,thepollutionofLakeWashingtonwherelakefrontresidentscouldnotswimsafely,catalyzedcreationofaregionalsewageutility,Metro.Overthenexttwodecades,theCitypartneredwithMetrotoseparatestormwaterfromsewageinordertofreeupcapacityinthesewersystem.TheseparationprojectsmeantMetrocouldbuildtrunklinestoconveysewagetoanewmajortreatmentplantatWestPoint.Stormwaterwasconsideredrelativelyharmless,andthereforecontinuedtoflowintotheDuwamish.Today,raincontinuestofallandstormwatergoesintotheDuwamish.Sewagedoes,too,whenthepipesareoverloaded.

WhenpeopleaskwhowillpaytocleanuptheDuwamish,theansweris,“Allofus.”Manyoftheindustriesthatdumpedwastesintothewaterwayarelonggone.

Thosethatremainwillsharethecleanupcosts,butsowillcurrentSeattleresidentsandbusinesses.Wehaveallpollutedthewaterway.Wepolluteiteverytimewedriveacarandflecksofmetalcomeoffthebrakepads;everytimewewateralawnandwashfertilizersandpesticidesintothestormdrain.Wepollutelessdirectlybutwithmoreofachemicalpunchwhenwebuyplasticsandotherproducts,suchascosmetics,whichreleasephthalates.PthalateshavebecomeubiquitousinoururbanenvironmentandwillcontinueflowingintotheDuwamishaslongastheyareintheproductswebuy.

Duwamish River 1907

20

SPECIAL SECTION: DUWAMISH RIVER continued

TheCityAttorney’sOfficehasworkedwithstaffatSPU,CityLightandotherdepartmentsforthepast16yearsregardingtheDuwamish.Wehavebeentherewhilescientistsandmanagerswrestlewiththebestwaytoinvestigatecontaminationinthewaterwayandtheoptionsforaddressingit.NowwearerepresentingtheCityinaprocesstovolun-tarilyresolvewhichentitieswillpay,andhowmuchtheywillpay,forthecleanup.Forty-sevenparties,includingtheCityofSeattle,thePortofSeattle,KingCountyandTheBoeingCo.,areparticipatinginakindofconfidentialmediation.Theyhaveagreedtosharetheirinformationonpollutioninthewaterwayandtopayforaneutralperson,calledtheallocator,toassignthemsharesofthecleanupcosts.SincethecleanupstrategychosenbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyiscur-rentlyestimatedtocost$340million,evenasmallshareofliabilitycanbepainful.Partiesdonothavetoaccepttheshareassignedtothembytheallocator,buteveryoneknowsthatthosewhorejecttheirassignedsharesarelikelytobesuedbytheothers.

Inorderfortheallocationprocesstosucceed,thepartieshavetobethoroughandtransparentindisclosinghowtheymayhavepollutedthewaterway.Thisinformationisconfidentialbecausetheprocessisavoluntarymediation.

Overthenextfouryears,theallocationprocesswillcontinue,whileEPAworkswithasmallgroupofparties,includingtheCity,onfurtherstudiesthatareneededbeforecleanupcanbegin.Inaboutfiveyears,dredgingwillstartinsomepartsofthewaterway.Otherareaswillbecappedwithcleanmaterialandotherswillbemonitoredovertimetoseeiftheyareburiedwithcleansedimentcomingfromupriver.Thedredgingandcappingworkwilltakesevento10years.Monitoringwillcontinuefordecades.

TheDuwamishwaterwaywillneveragainbeafree-flowing,completelycleanriver.Thebestwecandowithtoday’stechnologyistomakeitcleanenoughthatitwillnotbeamajorthreattohumanhealth.Sadly,peoplewillnotbeabletoeatanunlimitedamountofshellfishorbottomfish,becausethesedimentswherethosecreatureslivecannotbecleanedenough.Oursocietyispayingfortheeconomicboomtimesofthepastandforourcurrentdependenceonproductsthatreleasetoxicchemicalsintotheenvironment.ItwilltakeaculturalshiftandagreatdealoftimeforthefutureoftheDuwamishtobetrulybright. Old, new channels of the Duwamish River

old

new

21


GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Every day legal issues arise related to the powers and duties of local government, and the distinct branches within local government. The City also faces legal challenges on issues unique to city government such as free speech, the release of public records, the power to tax, the ethical behavior of public officials, and regulating business. In 2014 the 10 attorneys in the Government Affairs Section provided legal advice and litigated cases concerning regulating marijuana, strip clubs, taxis, transportation network companies and oil trains; camping in public parks and sidewalks; requests for government records; minimum wage and protecting workers against wage theft and discrimi-nation; elections; and the collection of business taxes and debts owed to the City. Below is just a sampling of their work.

MUNICIPAL ISSUES

Marijuana LegalizationIn2012,Washington’svotersapprovedInitiative502(I-502),whichlegalizedmarijuanaforadultsover21.TheMedicalUseofMarijuanaAct,approvedbyvotersin1998,didnotlegalizemarijuana,butjustprovided

medicalmarijuanauserswithanaffirmativedefensepost-arresttocriminalprosecutioniftheymeetcertainqualifications.OurattorneysareworkingwithCitydepartmentstodeterminelegaloptionstoaddressconcernsthatmedicalmarijuanadispensariesoperateillegally,provideunfaircompetitiontolicensedrec-reationaldispensaries,andhavebecomenuisancesintheirneighborhoods,whilealsoprovidingforthemedicalneedsofpatients.OurattorneysarealsoactiveinlobbyingtheWashingtonLegislaturetoenactstatelegislationtoaddresstheseproblems.

Pre-school ballot measureOurattorneysadvisedtheCityCouncilandMayorandassistedwiththedraftingofSeattle’sProposition1Aconcerningapropertytaxmeasuretofinanceapre-schoolprogramfortheCity’sthree-andfour-year-oldchildren.Afterourofficesuccessfullydefendedchallengesincourt,thatproposalandProposition1B(acompetinginitiativemeasureonthesamegeneralsubjectthatdidnotprovidefunding)wereontheNovember2014election.Theseweretwoalternativemeasuresconcerningprovidingpre-schoolprograms.ThevotersapprovedProposition1A,theCityCouncil’sandMayor’sproposition.

Creation of the Seattle Park DistrictOurattorneysadvisedtheCityCouncilandMayorandassistedwithdraftingtheproposaltocreateaparkdistricttofundSeattleparkprograms.ThevotersapprovedthecreationoftheSeattleParkDistrictattheAugust2014election.

Seattle Transportation District ballot measureThroughaninterlocalagreementwiththeCity,theCityAttorney’sOfficeadvisedtheSeattleTransportationDistrictindraftingavotermeasuretoincreasevehiclelicensefeeandsalestaxtosupportKingCountyMetrobusservice.TheserevenuemeasureswereapprovedattheNovember2014election.

Minimum wage legislation and litigationOurattorneysadvisedtheCityCouncilandMayorindraftinganordinanceestablishingthehighestmin-imumwageofanymajorcityintheUnitedStates.Undertheordinance,withsomelimitedexceptions,allbusinessesoperatinginSeattlewillberequiredtopayatleast$15perhourby2021.Largerbusinesses,andthoseoperatingaspartofalargefranchisenetwork,willberequiredtopayatleast$15perhourby2018.Ourattorneys,withtheassistanceofoutsidecounsel,arealsorepresentingtheCityinalawsuit,International

Marijuana Preschool

22


Franchise Association v. City of Seattle,challengingtheCity’sminimumwageordinance.

Wage theft legislationOurattorneysadvisedtheMayorandCityCouncilindraftinglegislationthatcreatedacivilmeansofensur-ingthatemployersinSeattlepayworkerswhatisowedtothem.ThelegislationcreatedanOfficeofLaborStandardsempoweredtoinvestigateclaimsofwagetheftandtoissuefinesandordersofrestitution,andrequiresallemployerstoprovidenoticetoworkersoftheirrighttoreceiveproperwages.

Transportation Network Company/For-hire vehicle/Taxi legislation and litigationOurattorneysadvisedinthedraftingofoneofthefirstlawsinthenationthatlegalizedtransportationnetworkcompaniessuchasUber,LyftandSideCar.Withhelpfromourlawyers,theMayorfacilitatedmediationwithstakeholdersfromeachtransportationindustrytodraftagreeabletermsfornewlegislation.CityCouncilpassedtheresultinglegislationonJuly14,2014.

Police Department litigation and adviceOurattorneysdoextensiveworkforSPDonavarietyofissues.Theseincludeadvisingthedepartmentoncompliancewiththefederalconsentdecree;defending

theCity’sautomatedtrafficsafetycameraprogramandadvisingthedepartmentonproposedlegislativechangesinvolvingcameraenforcement;andadvisingthedepartmentonissuesrangingfromoff-dutyemploy-menttoin-carvideotocontractingwithprofessionalsportsteamsforpoliceofficersatmajorsportsevents.

Mahoney v. City GovernmentAffairsandTortslawyersdefendedtheCityinalawsuitfiledbyapproximately100Seattlepoliceofficerschallengingthedepartment’suseofforcepolicy,promptingU.S.DistrictJudgeMarshaPechmantodismissthecomplaintandallowSPDreformstoproceed.Theruling,whichpresentsnovelissuesunderboththe2ndand14thamendments,isonappealtotheNinthCircuit.

Public RecordsWashington’sPublicRecordsAct(PRA)mandatesthat,uponreceivingrequestsforrecordsfromcitizens,governmentsconductreasonablesearchesandprovideaccesstorecordsunlesstheyfallwithinspecificlegalexemptions.TheCityreceivesthousandsofrequestseachyear,themajoritydirectedtoSPD.Ananony-mousrequestorsubmittedhundredsofpublicdisclo-surerequeststoSPDandpolicedepartmentsacross

thestateseekingthebroadestpossibleaccesstoallpolicevideosandotherpolicerecords.Departmentsestimatedthatrespondingtohisrequestswouldtakedecades,andsomepoliceagenciesdecidedtoforegobodycamerasratherthanbeburdenedwithrespondingtosuchbroaddisclosurerequests.Weadvisedepart-mentsonhowtocomplywiththelawandstilldotherestoftheworkfortheCityanddefendlawsuitswhenfiled.Examplelawsuitsinclude:

• West v. City of Seattle: TheCityprevailedintheWashingtonCourtofAppealsinvolvingapublicrecordsrequesttotheLawDepartment.ThecourtcommendedtheLawDepartment’sresponsivecom-municationsandeffortstoensurewehadcorrectlyinterpretedtherequestregardingcalendarentries.ThisisthefirstWashingtoncase,andperhapsthefirstanywhere,offeringguidanceoninterpretingrequestsforMicrosoftOutlookcalendarentries.

• Fisher Broadcasting v. City of Seattle:KOMOTVreporterTracyVedderrequestedtheentiredatabaseofallofSPD’sin-carvideorecordingstaggedforretention.Ourattorneysprevailedatthetrialcourtregardingtheinterpretationofhowlongastatutoryexemptionappliedtothevideos.KOMOsoughtdirect

Assistant City attorney speaking to the media about the SPD consent decree after a hearing in federal court

23


reviewbytheWashingtonSupremeCourt.Inafive-fourdecision,theSupremeCourtreversedthetrialcourt.Thecasehasbeenremandedtothetrialcourt.

• Richard Lee v. City of Seattle:Asthe20thanniversaryofthedeathofNirvana’sKurtCobainapproached,LeerequestedSPD’sinvestigativerecordsofthesinger’ssuicide.SPD’sresponseincludedfourrollsofnever-beforedeveloped35mmfilmretainedwiththefile.SPDwithheldsomeofthephotographsbecausetheyshowedgraphicimagesofanidentifiabledece-dent.Washingtonandfederalcourtshaveheldthatdisclosureofdecedentimagesinvadestheprivacyofsurvivingfamilymembers.LeesuedseekingreleaseofthephotographsofCobain’sbody.ThiscaseispendinginKingCountySuperiorCourt.

• Jane and John Does v. King County and City of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University v. King County and City of Seattle: FollowingtheJune2014shootingsatSeattlePacificUniversity,SPDandtheKingCountyProsecutingAttorney’sOfficereceivedmultiplePRArequestsforinvestigationrecords,includingsurveil-lancevideosprovidedbySPUtoinvestigators.KingCountyandSPDnotifiedSPUandthevictimsandwit-nessesinthevideothatthevideoswouldbedisclosedwiththeidentitiesofthevictimsandwitnesseswhohadrequestednon-disclosureredactedbyblurringtheirfacesinthevideos.Thosevictims,witnessesandSPUsuedtoenjoindisclosureofthevideos.Thetrialcourtdeniedmotionsforapreliminaryinjunctionbroughtbythevictims,witnesses,andSPU.Themat-tersarependingbeforetheCourtofAppeals.

PRA TrainingOurattorneyshaveprovidedtrainingoncompliancewiththeWashingtonPublicRecordsAct,Chapter42.56RCW,includingin-houseCLEsessions,communityandclient-trainingclasses.

Business Improvement Areas TheCitysupportsnineBusinessImprovementAreas(BIA)throughoutSeattle.BIAsallowbusinessdistrictstoassessmemberstoprovideservicesthatsupportgrowthandmanagement.TheCity’sBIAprogramcol-lects$15millionannuallyinBIAassessmentstobenefitneighborhoods.In2014,ourattorneysdefendedachal-lengetotheordinancethatcreatedtheSoDo(SouthofDowntown)BIA.

FIRST AMENDMENT

ATL v. City of Seattle2014sawtheconclusionofafederalconstitutionalchallengetotheCity’sstripclubordinance.Inacasethatlastedovertwoyears,theCAOdefendedtheCity’sbufferzonesthatprohibitstripclubswithin800feetofpropertypreviouslypermittedforadaycare,andwithin600feetofpropertypreviouslypermittedasastripclub.AfteratrialandanappealtheCityresolvedthechallengeforpaymentbytheCityof$125,000.

TaxesWeregularlyworkwiththeCityCouncil,theDepartmentofFinanceandAdministrativeServices(FAS),theMayor’sOffice,SPU,CityLightandotherdepartmentstoreviewordinancesandadviseonstateandlocaltaxissues.WeworkfrequentlyandcloselywithFAS’sauditdivisiontoaddressissuesthatariseduringauditsandtolitigateorresolvetaxpayerappeals.

Besidesadvisingclientsontaxissues,weachievedsuc-cessfuloutcomesinseveralcourtcases,including:

• Rogers and Lambert v. City: WeprevailedinacaseallegingthattheCitywaspreemptedbystateandfederallawfromenforcingbusinesslicenseandzoningcodesagainstso-calledmedicalmarijuana“collectivegardens.”

• City v. Addiction Industries, Inc.:Thistaxcollec-tioncaseinvolvedthefailureofthetaxpayer,whodoesbusinessasanightclubatPikePlaceMarket,topayadmissionandB&Otaxesforseveralyears.Wesuedandobtainedajudgmentfor$80,000inunpaidtaxes.

• Evergreen Moneysource Mortgage Co.: TheCity’sHearingExaminerruledinfavoroftheCityinacasewherethetaxpayerclaimedthattheCitywronglyimposedB&Otaxonincomereceivedas“points”onmortgages.

• Wedbush Securities, Inc.:Whatistheapportion-mentoftaxeswhenthetaxpayerhasofficesbothinSeattleandoutsideSeattle—alloverthecoun-try—andourmandatoryapportionmentformulameasurestheratioofincomeheretoincomeevery-where?TheCity’spositionisthattheCityisowedtaxonalltheincomegeneratedbytheSeattleoffice(resultingintaxof$118,982.21).OurattorneysprevailedbeforetheHearingExaminerinMay2013andinKingCountySuperiorCourtinApril2014.WedbushappealedtotheCourtofAppeals.Weanticipateoralargumentsinspring2015.

Collections UnitThisunitcollectsdebtsowedtotheCitybytakingdebtorstocourt.In2014,itassistedtheCityincollecting$1,807,825.01bysendingout36demandletters,filing22lawsuits,entering22judgments,andextending18judgments.Inaddition,theunitcompletedallworkiden-tifiedundera2013auditandestablishednewfollow-upprocedures.ThelargestcollectionscamefromMartinSeligforover$300,000,andfromClydeYanceythroughareceivershiptoaidincollectingfourunpaidDepartmentofPlanningandDevelopment(DPD)judgmentsforcodeviolations.Throughthesaleofrealproperty,theunitcouldcollect$421,035.55andfullysatisfytwojudgments.

24


YanceyownedseveralinvestmentpropertiesinSeattleandBellingham.Beginningin1987,neighboringpropertyownerscomplainedabouttheconditionofYancey’sSeattleproperties.Between2000and2012,theCityissued39citationsandnoticesofviolationtoYanceyandobtainedfiveseparatejudgmentsforlandusepenaltiesandabatementfees.In2013,YanceypaidoneofthejudgmentstoavoidthesaleofaSeattlepropertybythesheriff.In2014,theCityfiledacom-plainttohaveareceiverappointedtomanageandsellYancey’sproperties.TheCityheldfourjudgments,whichtotaledover$2millionwithpost-judgmentinter-est.Sincethen,thereceiverhassoldtwoofYancey’sSeattlepropertiesandtheCityhasrecoveredover$420,000,whichsatisfiedtwojudgments.Thereceiv-ershipcontinuesandadditionalpropertieswillbesold.

LAND USE

Affordable HousingFollowingWashington’slandmarkGrowthManagementAct(GMA),Seattlehasaccommodatedever-increasingnumbersofresidentsoverthepasttwodecades,passingBostonin2014tocomethe21stlargestandfastestgrowingAmericancity.Reducingurbansprawlenhancessustainabilitybutalsoraises

landvalues,whichmakesfindingaffordablehousingacriticalproblem.Thisreducessprawlandenhancessustainability.TheLandUseSectionplaysacriticalroleinensuringthatSeattledoesn’tbecomeacitywhereonlythewealthycanaffordtolive.

• Cityleadersareconsideringinnovativewaystomitigatetheimpactsofgrowthonaffordablehousingandprotecttenants.Theyneedsolidlegaladviceonhowtocraftthosesolutionstofitstatelawsandconstitutionallimits.

• Developershavealreadychallengedsomeofthoseinnovations.TheKoontz Coalition—anhomagetoa2013pro-developerU.S.SupremeCourtopinion—objectedtoincreasesintheaffordablehousingfeedevelopersmustpaytogainextraheightaspartofthedowntownbonusprogram.TheLandUseSectionbeatbackthosechallengesinfederalcourtandbeforetheGrowthManagementHearingsBoard.

• Neighborshavechallengedotherinnovations.WhenagroupappealedtheCity’sapproachto“micro-units”inSuperiorCourt,theLandUseSectiondefendedtheCityandworkedwithCouncilmembersonanewapproachthatavoidedfurtherlitigation.

• TheCityOfficesofHousingandEconomicDevelopmentprovidetensofmillionsofdollarsinloansannually,andtapadditionalfederalfundingandtaxincentives,tosupportaffordablehousingprojectsthroughouttheCity.Thesesignificantdealsrequirelegaladviceandcomplexnegotiationstoensurethepublic’smoneyisinvestedconsistentwithanarrayofcomplexlawsandregulations.

• Undertheguiseof“affordablehousing,”someland-lordsoffersqualidrentalunits.TheLandUseSectionenforcestheHousingCodetoprotecttenants,whoalldeservesafeanddecentaffordablehousing.

FosteringaffordablehousingisjustpartoftheLandUseSection’sduties.TheSection’s10attorneysandthreeprofessionalstaffconstituteoneofthesinglelargest,andmostrespected,landuselawteamsinWashington,publicorprivate.ThesectionsupportstheCityinallfacetsofshapingtheurbanlandscapeswecallhome.

District EnergyItseemedlikeasimpleidea:TheWestincompany’sdowntowndatacentergeneratesexcessheatthatAmazonwantstousetohelpwarmitsnewdowntowncampus,savingresourcesandmoney.Butbecausethis

Amazon’s new business center to be warmed by the excess heat from the Westin’s downtown data center

25


“districtenergy”proposalwasamongthefirstofitskindinthenation,itdidnotfitneatlywithintraditionalcoderequirements.ALandUselawyerhelpedthepartiesnav-igatethelaw,inturnhelpingtoestablishamodelforhowfuturedowntownneighborscanturnwasteintoenergy.

Bike lanesSeattlelikesbikes.Butthesentimentisnotuniversal,especiallywhenenhancingsafecyclingopportunitiesmeanschangestoaneighborhood.TheDepartmentofTransportationproposedamoreformalbikelanealongthewestsideofLakeUnion.Localpropertyownersandtenantschallengedtheadequacyoftheproposal’senvironmentalreviewbyfilinganappealwiththeCityHearingExaminer.LandUselawyersdefendedtheactionandalsoworkedwithSDOT,theMayor’sOffice,andopposingcounseltosettlebeforethehearing.Plansforthebikelane,shapedbyinputfromarangeofstakeholders,continuetotakeshape.

Yesler TerraceThirtyacresnexttodowntownSeattlewillsoontransform.YeslerTerraceisadiversecommunityof1,200—includingfamilieswithchildren,seniors,peoplewithdisabilities,andimmigrantswhospeakavarietyoflanguages—livinginsubsidizedhousingownedand

operatedbytheSeattleHousingAuthority.Fornearlyadecade,SHAhasbeenworkingwithresidents,city-widestakeholders,fundersandCityofficialstoplanasweepingredevelopmentofthecommunity.Sectionlawyershavebeencrucialtoeverystep.In2014,theyworkedonfinalizingsuchdetailsasplats,streetvacations,funding,parkacquisitionsandusage,andlegislationenactedbytheCouncil.

SignsSignsarepartofoururbanlandscape.Butbalanceiskey.LandUselawyersworktostrikethatbalance.Toaddressthemisuseof“on-premisesigns”—whicharelimitedtothesoleuseofabusinessonthepropertytopromoteitsownwaresandservicesnottobehandedovertobillboardcompaniestosellspacetothehighestbidder—LandUselawyerspursuedasweep-inglawsuittobringthosesignsinlinewithCitylaw.Whenacompanyconvertedanon-premisesignintoabillboardwithoutproperpermits,sectionlawyersbattledanenforcementactionthroughthreelevelsofcourts.AndwhentheCouncilmemberstightenedCitylawtoachieveanewbalance,sectionlawyershelpedthemnavigatetheconstitutionalandotherparame-tersinplay.

TORTS

The Torts Section defends the City against lawsuits brought by plaintiffs who seek money damages for either personal injury or property damage. The section also defends individually named employees where the underlying facts arise out of the course and scope of employment. Lawsuits against the City and its employees arise out of a wide variety of circumstances. Besides defending lawsuits, the Torts Section takes a lead role in pursuing large damage claims on behalf of the City as plaintiffs seeking damages due to the negligence of one or more persons or entities. The City is “self-insured” for all claims up to $6 million; that is, Seattle’s general fund covers the first $6 million in fees, settlements and judgments. The Torts section also pursues insurance companies when they fail to accept our tenders of defense of cases exceeding $6 million.

The section opened 74 cases and 26 project files in 2014. The number of new cases is slightly higher than the previous two years but is still lower than during the years leading up to 2012. The City has benefitted from a general trend county-wide but also from the City Attorney’s emphasis on loss prevention and risk management.

Bike lanes on 2nd Avenue Yesler Terrace

26


Risk ManagementTheTortsSectionworksextensivelywithCitydepart-mentsandwiththeCity’sRiskManageronliabilityissues,focusingmuchofitsattentionontheoperat-ingdepartmentsthataremostfrequentlyinvolvedinlitigationduetothenatureoftheirwork:thePoliceDepartment,theDepartmentofTransportation,SPU,ParksandCityLight.Wide-rangingissues,incidents,exposures,programsandopportunitiesarepresentedeachyear.Thesectionalsoprovidesdirecttrainingtooperatingdepartmentsonriskmanagementtechniquesandapproaches.Theseeffortshavepaidoffinthereductionoflawsuitsfiled.

Personal Injury and Property Damage LitigationThesection’scasestypicallyinvolvemattersrangingfromrelativelyminorandresolvedinjuriestoallega-tionsofwrongfuldeathandcatastrophicinjurycases.Thesectionalsohandlespropertydamagecases.Incaseshandledduring2014,theunderlyingfactsincludedallegationsofinjuriesresultingfromnegli-gentroaddesign,sidewalktripandfalls,automobileaccidents,premisesliability,negligentsupervisionofaMunicipalCourtprobationer,oneboatingacci-dentandvariousallegationsagainstpoliceofficerssuchasexcessiveforceandfalsearrest.Propertydamagecasesincludedallegationsofsurfacewaterflooding,sewerbackupsandlandslides.Onepoliceactioncasewastriedtoajuryduring2014(Morales,discussedbelow).

Cases of particular interestThesectionobtaineddismissalsandfavorablesettle-mentsinnumerouscases.Examplesinclude:

• Pratt –Plaintiffclaimedinjuriesresultingfromarear-endcollisionbyanSPDdetective,whowasthenemployedasanundercovernarcoticsdetective,whiledrivingaCityvehicle.Thedefendantwasunder

theinfluenceofalcoholandultimatelypleadedguiltytoDUI.TheCitydeniedliabilityongroundsthatthedetectivewasnotinthecourseandscopeofemploy-mentwhentheaccidentoccurred.TheCityprevailedinitsmotionforsummaryjudgmentandthecasewasdismissed.

• Keatts–ThiscasearoseoutofaboatingaccidentonLakeWashington.Plaintiffallegedthathisrec-reationalboathitalargewakecreatedbya“policeboat,”causinghimtobecomeairborneandbreakhisbackuponlandinghardontheboatdeck.PlaintiffsuedboththeCityandMercerIsland,bothofwhichregularlyprovideharborpatrolofLakeWashington.TheCitywasdismissedonsummaryjudgmentafterprovingthatithadnoboatinthevicinityoftheacci-dentwhenittookplace.

• City v. Schneider Homes–TheTortsSectionrecovered$102,500regardingasewagedischargeintoBitterLakethatresultedfromadefectinaprivatefacility.

• Scott–Plaintiff,auniversityprofessorandnurse,sustainedatraumaticbraininjuryaftertrippingoveradisplacedsidewalkpanel.Defenseandplaintiffexpertsagreedthatplaintiffmoreprobablythannotsufferedfromcognitiveimpairmentbecauseofthefall.Thecasesettledfor$270,000,despiteallegedmedicalspecialsof$1,070,475andallegedwagelossof$732,493.

• TheSchulte v. City of Seattle and Mullancasearisesoutofatragicincidentinwhichadrunkdriverstruckafamilycrossingastreet,criticallyinjuringamotherandherbabyandkillingthebaby’spaternalgrandpar-ents.Atthetimeofthecollision,thedriverwasunderSeattleMunicipalCourtsupervisionforapriorDUI.Theplaintiffssuedthedriverandthecourt,allegingthatthecourt’sprobationdepartmentwasgrosslynegligent.TheCitymovedforsummaryjudgment

becausethedriverreportedlycompliedwithalltreat-mentprovisionsofhisprobation,hadcommittedtonotdrive,andbecausetheprobationofficerexceededallprobationpoliciesbyrequiringhimtoreportbackatagreaterfrequencythanotherwiserequired.Atahearing,thetrialcourtheldthataquestionoffactremainedwhether,havingundertakentoquestionthedriveraboutwhetherhewasdriving,theprobationofficerwasgrosslynegligentbynotthenseekingtoverifythetruthfulnessofthedriver’sstatementsbycontactingoutsidesources.TheCityhasappealed.

• TheTorgerson (Gayle)caseinvolvedapedestrianstruckbyamotoristwhilecrossingaCitystreetinamarkedcrosswalk.TheCitywasdismissedonsummaryjudgmentforlackofproximatecause.TheplaintiffappealedtoDivisionIoftheCourtofAppeals.During2014,theCourtreversedthedis-missalandremandedthecasefortrial.Thecasethensettledfor$60,000.

APPEALS

• TheplaintiffintheChoisoneoffivepedestriansstruckbyapick-updrivenbyanintoxicateddriveratFirstAvenueS.andS.MassachusettsAvenueinOctober2011.ChoallegedthattheCitywasnegli-gentregardingitsfailuretosignalizeorotherwisecontroltheintersection.ThetrialcourtgrantedtheCity’smotionforsummaryjudgmentin2013.PlaintiffappealedtoDivisionIoftheCourtofAppeals,whichaffirmedthedismissal.PlaintiffthenfiledapetitionforreviewtotheWashingtonSupremeCourt;thatpetitionispending.ThecompanioncaseofHa,whichwasbroughtbyanotherofthepedestriansstruckinthiscrash,isstillpendingbeforethetrialcourt.GiventhethousandsofSeattleintersectionsandmilesofstreets,thepotentialimpactofcasesliketheseontheCity’sgeneralfundisenormous.

27


• InElliott Bay Marina,plaintiffallegedthattheCityisillegallytaxingitbyrequiringthemarinatopaytherateforCitysewerserviceswhenitssidesewerconnectsdirectlytoaKingCountytrunkline.TheCityprevailedonsummaryjudgmentandplaintiffappealed.DivisionIoftheCourtofAppealsaffirmedthedecisionofthetrialcourt.

AdviceBesidesthesection’sriskmanagementworkdescribedabove,TortslawyersroutinelyadviseotherLawDepartmentsectionsandCitydepartmentsonnumer-ousissues.During2014theTortsSectionworkedonseveralsignificantissues:

• RecommendednewlanguagetoincludeinfutureCitycontractsthatrequirethecontractortoobtaininsuranceandtohavetheCitynamedasanadditionalinsuredonthosepolicies.Thenewlanguagewillpro-hibitinsurersfromincludingcross-liabilityexclusionsincommercialgeneralliabilitypolicieslistingtheCityasanadditionalinsured.

Police Action LitigationThemajorityofthepolicelitigationcontinuestobehandledin-housewithasmallpercentageofcasesbeinghandledbyoutsidecounselmostlyduetocon-flictsituations.In2014,17casesandsixprojectswereopened.Allnewlawsuitswereassignedtoin-housecounsel—thefirstyearthatallofthepoliceactionworkwasassignedin-house.Ofthecasesassignedtoout-sidecounselinprioryears,onlytworemainactive.

TheCityAttorney’sdecisionatthebeginningofhisfirsttermtobringpoliceactionworkin-housecontinuestopaydividends.In2014,thesection’spoliceactionteamand/oroutsidecounselobtainedseveraldismissalsandadvantageoussettlements.Sixcaseswereclosedwith-outpaymentandeightcasesweresettledforamountsrangingfrom$3,000to$195,000,for$570,500.Onecasewenttotrial.

Toavoidpotentialconflicts,theofficecontinuestoretainoutsidecounseltohandleinquestsintoofficer-involvedincidents.During2014outsidecounselhandledfourinquestsintoshootingdeaths.

Police Action Cases of Interest:• TheMoralescasearoseoutofanarrestonMayDay

2012.Plaintiffclaimedthatexcessiveforcewasusedandthatshewasfalselyarrested.Thiscasewastriedtoajuryinfederalcourt.Thejuryfoundfordefen-dantsonallclaimsbutoneandawarded$0onthatoneclaim.Thecourtthenchangedtheawardto$1innominaldamages(sinceanawardofnominaldam-agesmustfollowfromtheoneclaimfoundinfavorofplaintiff)andthenawarded$165,405inattorney’sfeestotheplaintiff.TheCity’sappealtotheNinthCircuitispending.

• TheBrookscaseinvolvedtheuseofaTaserindrive-stunmodeonapregnantplaintiffduringatrafficstop.Thecasewasinitiallyfiledinfederalcourtin2006andresultedinadecisionbytheNinthCircuitinfavorofCitydefendantsonallfederalclaims.Theplaintiffre-filedinstatecourtduring2012.Thecasesettledduring2014for$45,000onallremainingclaims.

• TheAdamscaseinvolvedfiveplaintiffswhoclaimedthatexcessiveforcedwasusedagainstthembypolicerespondingtoneighbors’noisecomplaintsduringaparty.Thecasesettledwithallplaintiffsduring2014for$195,000.

Appeals in Police Action Cases: • Bear–Plaintiffclaimedclaimedthathewaswrong-

fullyarrestedandthatofficersusedexcessiveforceinhisarrest.Hisclaimsweredismissedbythetrialcourt.In2013the9thCircuitaffirmedthedismissal.Plaintiff’spetitiontotheU.S.SupremeCourtwasdeniedin2014.

• Oregon–TheCitydefendants’motiontodismisswasgrantedduring2013.Thiscasesettledduring2014for$38,000whileplaintiff’sappealwaspending.

• Pope–Plaintiffallegedthathewasfalselyarrestedafterwitnessescalledpolicecomplainingabouthistreatmentofhisdaughterinagrocerystore.Thetrialcourtdismissedthecaseonsummaryjudgment.Plaintiff’sappealtoDivisionIoftheCourtofAppealsispending.

• Caylor–Citydefendantssoughtdismissalonsum-maryjudgmentbaseduponqualifiedimmunityinvolvingclaimsofexcessiveforce.Thetrialcourtdeniedthemotion.CitydefendantsthenappealedtotheNinthCircuit;thatappealispending.

OTHER POLICE ACTION WORK

DOJ SPD Settlement AgreementWhilelitigationremainstheprimaryfocusofthePoliceActionTeam,attorneysontheteamarealsodeeplyinvolvedinworkingwithSPDinimplementingthecon-sentdecreebetweentheCityandtheDepartmentofJustice.In2014thisworkincludeddraftingandreview-ingpolicies,representingSPD(andtheCity)inmeetingswiththecourt-appointedmonitoringteamandDOJ,andservingasstewardsfordepartmentreformwhilemakingsurethatlegitimateCityconcernswereraisedinadiplomaticmanner.Policeactionattorneyscon-tinuetoattendmostmeetingsonDOJ-relatedissuesandalsoregularlyattendUseofForceReviewBoardsessions,CrisisInterventionCommitteemeetings,andCommunityPoliceCommissionmeetings.In2014theteamalsoprovidedtechnicalassistancefordevelopingtrainingmodulesonissuessuchassearchandseizure,useofforce,crisisintervention,andsupervisionofofficers.ThePoliceActionTeamalsocontinuestoworkwithSPDtoimplementdatasystemsandanalytical

28


measurestotracktheextenttowhichpolicyreformmaterializesintoimprovedpracticesandstrongerrelationshipswiththecommunity,particularlyregardingstopsanddetentionsandpersonsincrisis.

Other SPD AdviceIn2014thePoliceActionTeamprovideddirectclientadvicetoSPDonissuessuchastrackingcellphones;body-worncameras;theuseofdrones,specialcommis-sionsandsecondaryemployment;andvariousotherissues.TeammemberscontinuetoworkwiththeMayor’sOffice,theCityCouncilandtheCommunityPoliceCommissiononissuesastheyarise.Ofparticularnote,asthedepartmenthasbegunapilotprojecttotesttheuseofbody-worncamerasonpatrolofficers,thePoliceActionTeamhasworkedcloselywiththedepartmentandtheCommunityPoliceCommissiontobalancetheuseofcamerastosupportpoliceaccountabilitywiththeprivacyconcernsofthecommunity.

Teamattorneysregularlyattendlocalpoliceadvisorsmeetingsthatbringregionalattorneystogethertodiscussissuesinlawenforcement.Teamattorneysalsoattendlocalandnationallawenforcementconferences.

Insurance Coverage TendersOneoftheCity’sprimaryriskmanagementtoolsisits“additionalinsured”statusunderinsurancepoliciesissuedtotheCity’scontractors,concessionaires,vendors,permitteesandthosewhoholdeventsonCityrights-of-wayunderstreetusepermits.In2014,sectionattorneysaggressivelyassertedtheCity’sinterestsininsurancecoverageofteninthefaceofdenialordelay.Examplesinclude:Roberts(settledfor$22,500withoutcontribu-tionbytheCity);Oltesvig(settledfor$46,500withoutcontributionbytheCity);andHeay(settledfor$90,000,includingtheCity’scontributionof$30,000).

Disaster Planning and Emergency Operations Center Legal Support

SeveralAssistantCityAttorneysandAssistantCityProsecutors,includingTortsattorneys,providelegalsupporttoSPD’sEmergencyManagementSection.SectionattorneyshelptostafftheCity’sEmergencyOperationsCenter,providelegalsupportduringemer-genciesandparticipate.

Non-City Litigation AdviceCityemployeesaresometimessubpoenaedfordeposi-tionincaseswhere,eventhoughtheCityisnotaparty,thesubpoenaarisesoutofwork-relatedissues.TheTortsSectionprovidesreviewandlegaladvicetoindi-vidualCityemployeesandclientdepartmentsregardingthosebusiness-relatednon-Citylitigationissues,includ-ingtrialanddepositionsubpoenasandrequiredwitnessappearancesandrequestsforproductionofdocumentswhenneeded.

THE CITY INVESTIGATOR

TheCityInvestigator’sservicesareofferedthroughtheCityAttorney’sOfficebutbenefitallCitydepartments,savingtaxdollarscomparedwiththecostofretainingoutsidecounsel.

• TheCityInvestigatorhashandlednumerousinves-tigationssinceJuly2010,whenthepositionwascreated.ShehasworkedwithdozensofdifferentCitydepartments,investigatingcomplaintsofdiscrimina-tion,harassment,workplacesafetyconcerns,retalia-tion,whistleblowerclaims,fraud,disciplinaryissuesandcitizenconcerns.

• TheCityInvestigatorprovidesassistancetoman-agementorhumanresourcespersonnelinpendinginvestigations.Shehasactedasaco-investigatorwithoutsideinvestigatorstoaddresscomplexemploy-mentissuesordatadriveninvestigations.

• TheCityInvestigator’spositionisunique.Otheragen-cieshaveaskedhowtheycouldestablishasimilarly

independentinvestigativeposition.

• TheCityInvestigatorpreparesandprovidesCity-wideanddepartmentaltrainingcoursesonemploy-mentlawissuesandworkplacepolicies.ShehasteamedupwiththePersonnelDepartmentandothermembersoftheCityAttorney’sOfficetodevelopandcoordinateCity-widetrainingandcoordinatejointtrainingprogramsfortheCityandKingCounty.Thetrainingprogramsarerelevant,interesting,inter-activeandin-depth.

29

EstablishinganewfoundationwasthethemeintheCriminalDivisionin2014.WecontinuedthetransitioninkeypersonnelandmadeadvancementsinelectronicdiscoveryandmanyIT-relatedmatters.WealsomadetremendousstrideswithourpartnersintheCriminalJusticePlanningCommittee.TheCJPCbeganmeet-inginearnestin2014,withrepresentationfromCAO,SeattleMunicipalCourt,KingCountyDepartmentofPublicDefense,Mayor’sOfficeandtheSeattlePoliceDepartment(SPD).Thecommitteehasestablishedbet-terwaystoachievejusticeforthoseinteractingwithinthemunicipalcriminaljusticesystem.

Infindingbetterwaystoserveimmigrantswhomayhavefallenvictimtowagetheft,wehave

developedaformalmethodofinformationsharingwiththeU.S.DepartmentofLabor’sWageandHourDivision.AMemorandumofUnderstandingbetweenSPDandtheLaborDepartmentwillallowforinvestigativeinformationtobeshared,sothatmorewagetheftcasescanbeprosecutedattheCity’smisdemeanorlevel.

TheCriminalDivision’snewinternalorganizationalfoundationwasformalizedin2014.Wecompletedouradministrativereorganizationandwillconductanevaluationduringthefirsthalfof2015.Withthereor-ganization,wewillbetterservetheneedsofvictimsandthecommunity,andprovidemoresupportfortheassistantcityprosecutors.

Aswetransitioninto2015,ourprioritiesaretofocusonrefiningtheelectronicdiscoveryprocess;continuetoupdateinternalpolicestoincludeproportionatesentencing,andtoworkmoreeffectivelywithourcom-munityjusticepartners.

Administration

CAOhasalonghistoryofprovidingopportunitiesforvolunteersandstudentinternstolearnmoreaboutthelegalprocessandcriminaljusticesystem.Lawstudentsworksidebysidewithprosecutorstolearnthebasicsofcasepreparation,filingandtrialwork.During2014,theCriminalDivisionhosted31volunteerswhoprovidedover7,040servicehours,ortheroughequivalentofthreefull-timeemployees.

CRIMINAL DIVISION

Pete and Police Chief O’Toole with DUI award winners at December ceremony

30

CRIMINAL DIVISION continued

of2014.Exceptforsomereporttypes,anyreportmiss-ingkeyinformation(suspectname,birthdate,height,weight,race,sex,addressandzipcode)isautomati-callyrejectedandreturnedtotheofficerordetectivesubmittingthereporttogathertherequiredinforma-tion.OncethekeyinformationisgatheredbySPD,thereportwillbere-releasedtothedivisionforachargingdecision.Thiswillallowustofilecasesthatbeforecouldnothavebeenfiled,percourtrules.

Criminal Division StatisticsIn2014,thedivisionreceived12,175reportsfromSPDandfiled7,142cases.Breakingdownthosenumbers,thedivisionreceived3,527domesticviolencereportsandfiledDVchargeson1,273;wereceived958DUIreportsandfiledon977.(Note:Somereportsmayhavebeenreceivedin2013butnotfileduntil2014.)In2014,overallcaseswere,onaverage,finalizedin244daysand107dayssoonercomparedwith2013.

APPEALS

TheAppealsUnitresolved35criminalappealsandwritsin2014.WealsoarguedSeattle v. Evans,327P.3d1303(2014),inwhichtheCourtofAppealsupheldtheconstitutionalityofSeattle’sdangerousknifeordinance.WealsopreparedsixsummariesofrecentdecisionsofourappellatecourtsfortheCriminalDivisionattorneys.

Prosecution Support TeamIn2014webroughttheadministrativeandparalegalsupportfromvariousunitstogetherunderoneumbrella,ProsecutionSupport.Thisteampreparesallcasefilingpaperwork,ordersandreceivesthousandsofitemsofdiscovery,makesvictimandwitnesscontactforinter-views,restitutionandfilesmotionsforthedivision.

CrosstrainingstafftopreparevarioustypesofcasesratherthanhavingindividualsspecializeinacertaincasehasreducedbacklogsofRetailTheftProgramandsum-monscaseswithintheCasePreparationstaff.Wecon-tinuetostrivetowardstandardizationofofficeprocesses.

ProsecutorshavestartedtheirtrainingontheprosecutorsoftwareDAMION,anddeclines(policereportssentbacktoSPD)arenowprocessedelectronically.AnewSPDprocessofreportsubmissionwillallowforcom-pletereportstobereceivedelectronicallybyouroffice.Ifareportismissinganecessarytabledfield,theofficerwillreceiveanemailandisexpectedtoprovidethatinformationwithinashortwhilesothereportcanberesubmittedforachargingdetermination.

SuccessfulcollaborationwithSPD’sVideoUnithasalsoresultedinreducingthetimerequiredforobtainingincarvideos.Severalnewtechnologicalsystemsemerged:SECTOR(e-citations);SPDAuto-Declineproject;theProsecutorDiscoveryModuleandElectronicCourtFiling.

Law Department Liaison Officer: Insummer2014,SPDappointedadedicatedliaisonofficer,MiguelTorres,tobehousedwithinouroffice.Torresassistscityprosecutorsincompletingpre-trialinvestigativetasks.Theobjectiveistoincreasethenumberofsuc-cessfulcriminalprosecutionsbyprovidingprosecutorswithpre-trialinvestigativeassistanceanddeterminetrainingneedsforotherofficers.

Law Department Decline Project: InpartnershipwithSPD,theDeclineProjectwasimplementedattheend

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

APPEALS 2014

63 (up 40%)

73 (up 16%)69 (down 5%)

35 (down 28%)

49 (down 29%)

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

2013 compared to 2014**CRIMINAL DIVISION OVERALL: 2014

2013 Reports Rec’d ** 13,9532014 Reports Rec’d 12,175Diff 2014–2013 (1,778)% Change -13%

2013 Cases Filed 7,818 2014 Cases Filed 7,142 DIFF 2014–2013 (676)% Change -9%

2013 Reports Declined 5,7402014 Reports Declined 5,045DIFF 2014–2013 (695)% Change -12%

2013 % Reports Received were Declined 41%2014 % Reports Received were Declined 41%

2013 Avg # Days from Date Rec’d to Dispo this Qtr 3512014 Avg # Days From Date Rec’d to Dispo this Qtr 244

2013 In Custody Arrg 8,0002014 In Custody Arrg 8,051 DIFF 2014–2013 51% Change 1%

2013 Total # Bookings this Qtr 4,6092014 Total # Bookings this Qtr 4,108DIFF 2014–2013 (501)% Change -11%

2013 Total Booked w/Case Declined at ICA 8672014 Total Booked w/Case Declined at ICA 839DIFF 2014–2013 (28)% Change -3%

2013 % Total Booked w/Case Declined 19%2014 % Total Booked w/Case Declined 20%

2013 Intake 5,4052014 Intake 4,517DIFF 2014–2013 (888)% Change -16%

2013 Motion Setting 7222014 Motion Settings 699DIFF 2014–2013 (23)% Change -3%

2013 PTH Setting 15,7332014 PTH Setting 13,929DIFF 2014–2013 (1,804)% Change -11%

2013 Jury Trial Settings 8212014 Jury Trial Settings 686DIFF 2014–2013 (135) % Change -16%

2013 Jury Trials with Finding 1282014 Jury Trials with Finding 104DIFF 2014–2013 (24)% Change -19%

** Auto decline filter was activated during a portion of 2014

31


forbloodtesting.TherulingpotentiallyinvalidatedhundredsofbloodtestresultsonpendingDUIcases.TheDUIunitworkedwithSPDandtheWashingtonStateToxicologyLabtore-writewarrantsonnumer-ouscasesandre-testthebloodtoobtainadmissibletoxicologicalresultsallowingthesecasestobepros-ecuted.TheDUIunitalsoworkedwithSPDtorevisesearchwarrantrequestsforablooddrawandtestingpursuanttoMartines.

TheDUIunitprosecutedmanyhigh-profileoffend-ersin2014,includingamemberoftheSeattleFireDepartmentwhoisarepeatoffender.TheCityalsoprosecutedawomanwithapastvehicularhomicideconviction.ThesecasesremindusoftheimportanceofprosecutingallDUIstopreventfutureharmtoourcommunity.

TheyearalsomarkedtheinceptionoftheDUIEnforcementAwards.InDecember,CAOhostedaceremonyhonoringthehardworkofourSPDofficers;theytrulysavelives“onetrafficstopatatime.”TheceremonyculminatedwiththepresentationoftheAnnual“JoselitoBarberMemorialAward”toOfficerEdwardHarrisforhisoutstandinglifetimecommit-menttoDUIenforcement.

PUBLIC RECORD REQUESTS

TheCityAttorney’sOfficeiscommittedtoopengov-ernmentandcompliancewithitsobligationsundertheWashingtonPublicRecordsAct,RCW42.56,andrelatedlaws.Westrivetorespondinatimelyandprofessionalmannertoallrequestsfromthepublicforrecords.

In2014,theCriminalDivisionaddressed45publicrecordsrequests.Themajorityofrequestswererelatedtoanincidentorspecificpolicereportbutsomeweremorefar-ranging,in-depthortime-consuming.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

In2014theCriminalDivisionincreaseditscapacitytoprosecuteDUIcasesinordertoassistinreduc-ingSPD’sbacklogofDUIwarrants.TheDUIunitisstaffedbytwoexperiencedDUIprosecutors,MiriamNormanandMeaganWestphal.TheseprosecutorsfilemostDUIcharges,trythehigh-profilecasesandtrainbothprosecutorsandlawenforcementonDUIandtrafficrelatedmatters.

2014alsobroughtnewchallengestotheprosecutionofDUIs.State v. Martineschangedthelegalrequire-mentsforapplicationandtestingforbloodprocuredbyasearchwarrantbyrequiringaspecificwarrant

*** Decline code not used until 7/1/2011. 2011 only reflects numbers for 6 months.

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

DUI – 2014

20132014

REPORTS CASES DECLINE ICA INTAKE MOTIONS PTH JURY JT SETS FINDINGS

*500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0 2013 2014

DUI – 2014 AVERAGE DAYS TO DISPOSITION

**Average Number of Days to Dispo beginning 2014 no longer include Dismissals Due to Age *Pending dispo = start date of PTD, DP, SOC and DC

COMPLETED**PENDING*

2013 compared to 2014DUI 2014

2013 Reports Rec’d ** 1,1182014 Reports Rec’d 958Diff 2014–2013 (160)% Change -14%

2013 Cases Filed 1,030 2014 Cases Filed 977 DIFF 2014–2013 (53)% Change -5%

2013 Reports Declined 122014 Reports Declined 45DIFF 2014–2013 (33)% Change 275%



2013 In Custody Arrg 5502014 In Custody Arrg 666 DIFF 2014–2013 116% Change 21%

2013 Total # Bookings this Qtr 2062014 Total # Bookings this Qtr 298DIFF 2014–2013 92% Change 45%

2013 Total Booked w/Case Declined at ICA 22014 Total Booked w/Case Declined at ICA 5DIFF 2014–2013 3% Change 100%


2013 Intake 9822014 Intake 901DIFF 2014–2013 (81)% Change -8%


2013 PTH Setting 3,4492014 PTH Setting 3,500DIFF 2014–2013 51% Change 1%

2013 Jury Trial Settings 3612014 Jury Trial Settings 259DIFF 2014–2013 (102) % Change -28%


** Auto decline filter was activated during a portion of 2014

32


asinglevisitbyapatrolofficerisoftennotenoughtoeithergetthewholepictureofadomesticviolencesituationorcollectallthenecessaryevidenceandinterview,todevelopacomplexcase.

OnecaseinwhichdetectivesupportwascriticaltothesuccessoftheprosecutionwasthatofGabrielHernandez.OneDVcaseturnedintomuchmorewhentheCitycouldfullyinvestigatethewitnessintimidationbythedefendantduringtheinitiallitigation.Hernandezisahigh-riskoffenderwithaconvictionforsecond-de-greemurderandsignificantDVhistoryinIllinois.Intheinitialcase,heandhisgirlfriendwerestayinginahotelroomwhentheybeganarguing.Thedefendantpunchedherintheheadasshetriedtopushpasthimtoleave.Shedidnotappearfortrialandthatassaultcasewasultimatelydismissed.

Whiletheassaultcasewaspending,however,AssistantCityProsecutorLornaSylvesterrequestedjailrecordingsthatshowedthedefendantcallingthevictimseveraltimes.Sheonlyansweredoneofthecalls,butmanyothercallswentunanswered.Aftersev-eralunsuccessfulattemptstoreachher,thedefendantbegancallingbailbondscompaniesandaskingthemtocallthevictimtobailhimoutofjail.Eachtime,thebailbondscompaniescompliedwiththedefendant’s

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT

2014providedtheDomesticViolenceUnit(DVU)sev-eralopportunitiestobenimbleinthefaceofproductivechange.Theunitexpandedservicesprovidedtofamiliesexperiencingthecrisisofviolence.Wenowoffervictimadvocacyinallfamilyviolencecases,providingsupportandenhancedaccesstothecriminaljusticesystem.

DVUprosecutorshandlethesecasesateveryphasenow,whichensuresthatthequalitylitigationwehavetraditionallyprovidedintimatepartnerviolencecasesservesmanyfamilyviolencecases.TheDVUalsostreamlineditstrialpreparationprocess,withadivi-sion-widerestructureoftheProsecutorSupportTeam.WecanmorequicklymeettheenhanceddemandsofDVlitigation,asourdesignatedassistantparalegaldevotesallhertimetoDVcases.

Detective support from SPD In2014theDVUcontinueditsgoodworkingrelation-shipwiththepolicedepartment.Casesthatrequireddetectivefollow-upreceivedattentionfromtwodesig-nateddetectives,andlaterintheyearSPDtransitionedthecoveragesothatallfelonydetectiveshandledsomemisdemeanorsbyassignment.Thesupportofthisunitwasinvaluableinsomeofourmostseriouscases,as

requestandunwittinglycalledthevictiminviolationoftheoriginalno-contactorder.Eachtime,thevictiminformedthemshedidnothavethemeanstobailhimout.Thedefendantwaschargedwith10countsofViolationofaNoContactOrder(VNCO)basedonthosecalls.

Pursuingchargesontheseviolationswouldhavebeenimpossiblewithoutthehelpofdetectivefollow-upwork.SPDDet.SuzanneRosshelpedfindthehotelmanagertoidentifythevictimasthepersonintheroomwiththedefendant.Shealsohelpeddocumentthejailcallssochargescouldbefiled.Rossalsolocatedeachbailbondscompanyemployee,whotestifiedaboutthecallsandidentifiedthevoiceofthecaller.

ThedefendantwasconvictedoffivecountsofAttemptedVNCOforthecallstothevictim,andsixcountsofVNCOforthecallstothebailbonds.SMCJudgeKarenDonohuesentencedthedefendantto1,500daysinjailbasedonhishistoryandthestrongevidenceofpersistentviolations.

OneoftheuniquechallengesfacingtheDomesticViolenceUnitishowtomaximizevictimsafetyandoffenderaccountabilitywhenthevictimisnotwillingtoparticipateinprosecution.Manyofourcasesrely

DUI awards ceremony Pete, Chief O’Toole and DUI prosecutorsSigning the labor agreement with criminal attorneys union

33


Rosa-Mullen,maintainedcontactwithher,updatingheronthestatusanddiscussingherconcernsabouttheNoContactOrder.Shecouldaddressthecourtthreetimespriortothetrial,toaskthattheNoContactOrderbecanceled.Eventually,thecourtallowedemailandphonecontact,butnoin-personcontact.

AssistantCityProsecutorJanaJorgensentooktheLittlecasetotrialandthecivilianwitnessestestified,asdidthevictimandofficers.Thevictimagaindeniedtheassaultoccurred;however,thejuryconvictedthedefen-dantofassaultbecauseofwhatthewitnessessaw.Thejuryfoundthedefendantnotguiltyofrecklessdriving.Afterhearingfromthevictim,thecourtsentencedLittleto30daysinjailwithdomesticviolencetreatmentandmentalhealthtreatment,aNoContactOrderprotect-ingthevictim,andotherconditions.Whilethevictimremainedopposedtotheoutcome,theDVUandthecourtmadesurethatshewasheardduringthecase.

Specialized advocacy for more victims

TheDVUcontinuestomakestrongvictimadvocacythecenterpieceofavictim-focusedcriminaljusticeresponse.TheunithasalwaysprovidedadvocacynotonlyforIntimatePartnerViolence(IPV),butalsoforChildAbuseandElderAbusecases.TheDVUcontinuestohaveadvocateswhoprimarilyspecializeinIntimatePartnerViolence:KimberlyMcDaniel,TheresaPhillips,AlmaPavlikandSummerRosa-MullenworkhardtomakethevoicesofIPVvictimsareheardinasystemoftenbewilderingandfrustratingforsurvivorsexperi-encingacrisis.Theyalsoworkwithvictimstoaccessservicesinthecommunitythathelpsurvivorsincrisisachievestabilityandsupport.

TheDVUalsofocusesonElderAbusebyhavingadvo-cateswhospecializeinworkingwithelderandphysicallyvulnerablevictims.JoanneLuongandCherylMezichbothworkwiththisuniquepopulation,andtheycooperatewithLornaSylvester,whobesidesbeingtheDVU’sprosecutor

onthevictim’sparticipationinthesystem,whichisfrequentlyveryintimidatingandcanevenmakeavictimfeelmuchlesssafe.Sometimes,wecanproceedwithoutthevictim,andsincewitnessintimidationissoprevalentindomesticviolencecasesthisisoftentheonlywaytoensurethatanoffenderisheldaccountable.

A DV case under the microscope Inlate2013awomanheardaloudaltercationdowntown.ShesawJamesLittlepushingawomanoverthetopofashortfence,hishandsaroundherneckinastranglingposition.Thevictim’sbodywasbentbackwardsoverthefencefromtheforceofthemanstranglingher.Whenthemannoticedthewitnesswasonthephonewithpolice,herantohisnearbySUVandorderedthevictimintothecar.Thewomancomplied,andtheydroveawayathighspeeds,sometimesweavinginandoutofbusydowntowntraffic.Thefirstpoliceofficerwhofollowedthecarlostsightofitbuteventuallycaughtupandcon-ductedahigh-riskstop.

Officersspokewiththevictim,whoacknowledgedtheyhadbeeninaheatedargumentandthatthesuspectwasdrivingthewayhewastoavoidthepolice,butshedeniedtheassault.Fromtheoutset,thiscaseappearedtobeonewheretheCitywouldhavetoproceedwithoutthevictim’scooperation.Evenwhentheprosecutortriesacasewithoutthevictim,theystillmusthavea“voice”inthesystem.Researchshowsthatsimplybeingheardbenefitsthevictimmorethantheeventualadjudication.

TheDVUdoesoutreachandservicereferralsforevenreluctantvictims.ItalsohasaprocessforvictimstoaddressNoContactOrdersrelativelyeasily.NoContactOrderscanhaveaseriousnegativeimpactonthelivesofthosewhoareprotectedbythem,sothecourtmustallowlow-barrieraccesstovictimstoaddresstheseorders.

ThroughouttheLittlecase,thevictimdidnotsup-portprosecution.Thevictim’sadvocate,Summer

“ I honestly appreciate the time and genuine concern. It was very refreshing to feel heard by someone who genuinely cares in a process that can feel too bureaucratic at times. Thank you so much.”

Fromtheboyfriendofamentallyillwomanwhohadattackedhim:

34


overallresponsetothedefendant’sviolenceandcontrol.Cominoswasinitiallychargedwithassaultinghiselderlymotherwhosuffersfromdementia.Athirdpartyobservedthedefendantforcinghismotherintoacarandcouldhearthedefendantscreamingandyellingathertotakehimtothestore.Thedefendanthaschemi-caldependencyissuesandisonmethadone.

Whilethecasewaspending,elderabuseadvocateMezichkeptincontactwiththemother,whowasalsophysicallyfrail.Ononeoccasion,Mezichnoticed

forhigh-riskcases,istheunit’sElderAbuseprosecutor.Givingavoicetothisuniquepopulationisarewardingchallenge,andbesidesdoingthisworkLuongandMezichcarryacaseloadofIPVcases.KarenIrishworksexclu-sivelywithchildvictims.Havingadvocateswhocanworkinmultipledisciplineshashelpedtheunitstaynimbleandachievegoodcoverageofcasesinlightofbusycourtschedulesandtightdeadlines.

Wehaveworkedtomaintainourstrongstaffingofadvo-cates,addingRosa-MullenandLynnCraigtotheteamtofillpositionsvacatedbyadvocateswholeft.TheteamalsobroughtJeaneenWatkinsandCraigtotheDVUtoprovideatypeofadvocacynotprovidedbefore.Watkins,whowaspreviouslytheCriminalDivision’sHarassmentAdvocate,joinedtheteamtoprovideadvocacytoallfamilyviolencecasesthatarenotIntimatePartnerViolence,ElderAbuseorChildAbuse.Aswithmanyofourothervictimadvocates,CraigdivideshercaseloadbetweenherspecialtycaseloadandIPVcases,andshehasabackgroundinchemicaldependencytreatmentthatmakesherespeciallysuitedtoadvocateforthefamiliesofdefendants.

Oneexampleofhowadvocacyisdifferentisthatmanyinvolveadultchildrenandparentsasvictimsanddefendants.Issuesofmentalhealthorchemicaldepen-dencyfrequentlyunderliethecriminalbehavior,sotheadvocacyneedsofthevictimsareunique.Watkinshasabackgroundinmentalhealthinterventionsthathelpshersteerfamiliesincrisistoresourcesthatimprovestabilitybeyondthecriminalresponse.BothsheandCraiginformtheprosecutorofthefamily’suniqueneedssocondi-tionsofreleaseorprobationconditionsareappropriatetoolsforboththedefendantandhisorherfamily.

A Family Violence case up close OnefamilyviolencecasethatalsoinvolvedelderabusewasthatofPeterCominos.Therelationshipbetweentheadvocateandthevictimwasverycriticalinthe

4000

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

DV 2014

20132014

*** Motion settings were not counted until Q1 2014

REPORTS CASES DECLINE ICA INTAKE MOTIONS PTH JURY JT SETS FINDINGS

300

250

200

150

100

50

0 2013 2014

DV – 2014 AVERAGE DAYS TO DISPOSITION

**Average Number of Days to Dispo beginning 2014 no longer include Dismissals Due to Age*Pending dispo = start date of PTD, DP, SOC and DC

COMPLETED**PENDING*

2013 compared to 2014**DV UNIT 2014**

2013 Reports Rec’d ** 3,2292014 Reports Rec’d 3.527Diff 2014–2013 228% Change 7%

2013 Cases Filed 1,154 2014 Cases Filed 1,273 DIFF 2014–2013 119% Change 10%

2013 Reports Declined 2,0332014 Reports Declined 1,997DIFF 2014–2013 (36)% Change -2%



2013 In Custody Arrg 1,1632014 In Custody Arrg 1,631 DIFF 2014–2013 468% Change 40%

2013 Total # Bookings this Qtr 1,3392014 Total # Bookings this Qtr 1,426DIFF 2014–2013 87% Change 6%

2013 Total Booked w/Case Declined at ICA 4272014 Total Booked w/Case Declined at ICA 489DIFF 2014–2013 62% Change 15%


2013 Intake 3002014 Intake 359DIFF 2014–2013 59% Change 20%


2013 PTH Setting 2,2972014 PTH Setting 2,547DIFF 2014–2013 250% Change 11%

2013 Jury Trial Settings 3692014 Jury Trial Settings 377DIFF 2014–2013 8 % Change 2%


** Starting April 1, 2014, DVNI (Domestic Violence Non-Intimate Partner) referrals and cases were captured in DV data per change in office policy

35


thanothercasesandhaveevidentiaryelementsothercasesdon’thave,suchasimportant911recordings,photographs,recordedstatements,medicalrecordsanddocumentationbydetectives.

Elmscoordinatestheorderingofsupplementalevi-denceandprovidesdiscoverytodefenseattorneysforallDVcases.Havingadesignatedassistantparalegalhasbeenuniquelyhelpful,asElmsunderstandsthetimelinesandneedforaccuracyinallDVcases.HerdiligentperformanceandattentiontodetailisevenmorecriticaltothesuccessoftheteamduetotheincreasedcaseloadandbroadrangeoffamilyviolencecasesDVUprosecutorsnowlitigate.

Co-location of services

TheDVUcontinuestohavetremendoussuccesswithitsco-locatedprograms,inwhichstafffromotheragenciesphysicallyresidewiththeDVUtoprovideamulti-dis-ciplinaryresponsetolegalissuesandvictims’needs.TheKingCountyProsecutor’sOfficeassignsadeputyprosecutingattorneypart-timetoourunit,andin2014KimWyattcontinuedinthisposition.Shestreamlinedthereferralofcasesforfelonycharges,coordinatinglitigationandnegotiationofcaseswheredefendantshavechargesinmultiplejurisdictions,andassistedwithinvestigationofcomplexmisdemeanorcases.

TheDVUalsocontinuedtobenefitfromtheco-locatedvictimadvocateprogram.TheCity’sHumanServicesDepartmenthasfundedthispositionandexpandeditlastyeartoincludetwoco-locatedadvocates.CydneyJonesofSalvationArmyandAnaRiveraofConsejoarethecommunity-basedadvocateswhospendtimeinthedomesticviolenceunitsofboththeCAOandSPD.Theyprovidedirectservicestovictims,includinghousing,food,transportationandotherassistance.Theirworkwithvictimshassucceeded,andtheabilitytohelpcoor-dinatedirect-serviceoutreachhasbeenahugehelptothevictimadvocatesinourDVU.

achangeinherdemeanor.Shesuspectedthatthedefendantwaspresentinthehouseinviolationoftheno-contactorder.AssistantCityProsecutorSylvestercalledtheprecinctandaskedforofficerstodoawelfarecheckofthehome.Whenofficersarrived,theysawthedefendantatthehomeinviolationoftheno-con-tactorder.OurattorneythenchargedCominoswithViolationoftheNoContactOrder.

CominospleadedguiltytotheNoContactOrderchargeinexchangeforadismissaloftheassaultcharge.Later,theprosecutordiscoverednumerousjailcallsmadebythedefendanttohismotherinviolationoftheorder.Aprobationhearingwasscheduled,andjailtimewasimposedfortheprobationviolations.Howeverafterheservedhissentencehewasagainreleasedfromcustody.

Followinghisrelease,themotherarrivedatcourt,plan-ningtoaskthattheno-contactorderbelifted.Mezichwaspresentincourtthatdaytoassisther.Whenshearrivedatthecourtroomalone,Mezichbecamecon-cernedbecausesheknewthatthemotherhadtroublewithtransportationinthepastandhaddifficultygettingaround.Afterspeakingwiththemarshalsandsecuritystaff,sheandtheprosecutordeterminedthatthedefen-danthaddriventhevictimtocourttohavetheno-con-tactorderlifted.Officerswerecalledtothesceneandthedefendantwasimmediatelytakenintocustody.

Dedicated trial support

CaryElmsjoinedtheDVUasourassistantpara-legal,andherarrivalhasbeenagreathelptotheprosecutors’trialpreparation.AcrosstheCriminalDivision,therelationshipbetweensupportstaffandtrialpreparationchangeddramaticallyin2014.Muchmorefocuswasputonefficientandthoroughtrialpreparation,andcloserrelationshipsbetweenprosecutorsandsupportstaff.TheDVUhasuniqueneedsinthisarea:DVcasesarelitigatedmorequickly

“ I totally appreciate all that you are doing for me and my son in this process. It would most defi nitely be a lot more scary and unsettling if I didn’t have you helping me. I really appreciate it.” Fromavictimwhohadfledthestatewithherinfant

sontogetawayfromherabuser

36


HIGH PROFILE CASES

Firefighters’ case: OnMarch15,2014afteraSoundersgametwoSeattlefirefighters,ScottBulleneandRobertHowell,andBullene’sgirlfriend,MiaJarvinen,werereportedtohaveattackedmultiplehomelessindividualsnearthefirefighter’smemorialinPioneerSquare.Inthefallof2014thethreewereprosecutedfortheiractions.

AsBullene,HowellandJarvinenapproachedthefirefighter’smemorialtheycameuponamanwhoappearedtobehomeless.Eyewitnessessaiddefen-dantscalledoutthevictimfor“disrespecting”thefirefighter’smemorialashelayon/nearthememorial.SomeeyewitnessessawJarvinenkickthemaninthefaceashelayontheground,wrappedinablanket.OtherwitnessessawHowellstompingontheman.Inresponsemanypeoplerantoaidthemanontheground.Bullenewasthenseenbeatingadifferentmanwhoappearedtobehomelesswithawalkingstickhehadtakenfromhim.EyewitnessesfurtherindicatedthatamongBullene,HowellandJarvinentheycalledthepeoplearoundthem“worthless,”

“scum”andchastisedthemforbeinghomeless,livingontaxpayersupportandbeingadrainonsociety.

TheDVUprosecutorsin2014JimKenny,KrystleCurley,JennaRobert,YelenaStock,JanaJorgensen,AndrewTsomingandLornaSylvester.Eachworkedhardtodelivereffectivelitigationinthesedifficultcases.JulieHuffmanistheAdvocateSupervisorandCindiWilliamsistheDVUSupervisor.

TheDVUhasfiveprosecutors,andin2014theywereJimKenny,KrystleCurley,JennaRobert,YelenaStock,JanaJorgensen,AndrewTsoming,andLornaSylvester.Eachworkedhardtodelivereffectivelitigationinthesedifficultcases.JulieHuffmanwastheAdvocateSupervisorandCindiWilliamswastheDVUDirector.

Domestic Violence Non-Intimate Partner Cases: In2014,theSCAOadjusteditsinternalprocedurestoincludevictimadvocacyforvictimsofdomesticviolencenotinanintimaterelationshipwiththeirabuser.Thesetypesofcasesincludeviolencebetweenroommates,sister/brother,parent/adult-child,amongothers.Weintendtoprovideadvocacytoagreaternumberofvictimsandprovideincreasedclarityandconsistencywithinthedivision.ThetransitionwillalsoallowforallreportsthatfallunderthedomesticviolencedefinitionoffamilyorhouseholdmemberperSMC12A.06.120tobehandledbythesameunit.

Overall,theeyewitnessesportrayedBullene,HowellandJarvinenastheaggressorswhostartedandesca-latedtheviolencewhilemakingderogatoryremarks.Inresponse,thethreewerechargedwithassaultandwithmaliciousharassment.MaliciousharassmentisSeattle’ssolehatecrimestatute.In2007,“homelessness”wasaddedtothestatuteaspartofacontinuedefforttocombathateandintolerancedirectedtowardshomelessindividuals.Thiscasewasthefirsttimethatthe“home-lessness”prongofthestatutewasusedandthiscasedemonstratedwhythisprongisnecessary.Duringtrialthestatutewasupheldbythecourtagainstmultiplechallengesraisedbythedefenseattorneys.Triallastedslightlyoverthreeweeksandthejuryheardtestimonyfrom16people.TheCitycalled13witnesses,mostofwhomwereeyewitnesses,andeachdefendanttestified.Thedefendantswereacquitted.

Assault with Sexual Motivation: TheSeattleMunicipalCodewasamendedin2013toincludethecrimeofassaultwithsexualmotivation.

UnderSMC12A.06.010(B)theCityAttorneymayfileanassaultchargewithaspecialallegationofsexualmotivation.TheCitymustprovethat“atleastoneofthepurposesfortheassaultwasfortheactor’ssexualgratification.”

Pete at Buyer Beware prostitution press conference DUI attorneys being interviewed by KIROMarra Farm

37

itsinnovativeCommunityCourt.2014wasthefirstfullyearof“CommunityCourt2.0.”Thecourt,whichbeganin2005,providesanalternativepathfromthetraditionalescalatingincarcerationapproachforpeoplechargedwith“qualityoflife”typecrimes(theft,criminaltrespass,prostitutionetc.).Usingideasofrestorativejustice,peopleacceptedintoCommunityCourtgivebacktosocietybyparticipatingincommunityserviceprojectsthroughouttheCity.Thisworkcanrangefromassistingatalocalfoodbank,helpingtofixupacommunitygardenorcleaningupgraffiti.Withover15partners,theworkisvariedandprovidesmeaningfulbenefittolocalorganizations.

Besidesgivingback,CommunityCourt’sotherfocusisonprovidingparticipantsthehelptheyneedtoputtheirlivesonabetterpath.OneofthemajorrecentchangestoCommunityCourtisanemphasisoncreatinganindividualizedplanforeachperson.Wheretheoriginalcourthadaone-size-fits-allapproach,thenewver-sionrecognizesthatsomepeoplebenefitfromgreaterstructureintheirlivesthatthecourtcanprovidewhileothersmaybenefitfromhavingamorelimitedcontactwiththecriminaljusticesystem.Anothermajorchangeisanemphasisinhelpingparticipantstakebiggerstepsinaddressingtheunderlyingissuesthatmayhaveledtotheircriminalbehavior.Thesestepsmightincludegettingassistanceinsigningupforhousingorpublicbenefits,startingaGEDorjobtrainingprogram,orparticipatinginchemicaldependencyormentalhealthtreatment.Evenwiththesechanges,theoldgoalofhelpingparticipantstohelpthemselvesremains.

In2014,CommunityCourtaddedtwoexcitingcommu-nityservicepartners:

•MarraFarms:IntheSouthParkneighborhoodofSeattle,MarraFarmsisafour-acreurbanfarmengagedinsustainableagricultureandeducationthatprovidesfreshproducetofoodbanksand

Thischangeallowsprosecutionofmisdemeanorassaultsdoneforsexualgratificationoftheoffender.

ThispastyeartheCityfiled42suchcharges.Themostnotablewerechargesagainstanindividualwhobecameknownasthe“WestlakeGroper.”Withtheassistanceofadedicatedcitizenthepoliceappre-hendedtheoffenderwhohadgropedmanywomenintheareaaroundWestlakePark.Thedefendantwassuccessfullyprosecuted.

Othersuccessfulprosecutionsfeaturedtheteam-workofprosecutorsanddomesticviolenceadvocates.AssistantCityProsecutorJohnMcGoodwinhadtwocasesinwhichheworkedwithDVadvocatesRosa-Mullen,McDanielandWatkins.Inbothcaseswebroughttojusticeasuspectsentencedtosubstantialamountofjail.AssistantCityProsecutorMarcMayo,withtheinvaluableassistanceofadvocateIrish,suc-cessfullyprosecutedasuspectwhoassaulteda17-year-oldyoungwomanwaitingatabusstoponherwaytoschool.Hewasattemptingtograbherandatleastkissher.Thebraveyoungwomansuccessfullyfoughthimofflongenoughtogetawayandcallthepolice.

Ouroffice,withthehelpofthevictimsandSPD,couldactquicklytohavestrictNo-ContactOrdersinplaceandtorequestthathighbailbeset.Successfulprosecu-tionsresultedinoffendersreceivingsubstantialjailtime,strictno-contactordersandoffenderswereorderedtoundergoevaluationsandrecommendedtreatmentforsexualdeviancy.

Inallcasesprosecutionwouldnothavesucceededwithoutthevictims’braveandinvaluableassistanceinreportingthecrimeandwillingnesstoassistintheprosecution.

Community CourtInOctober2013,theCityAttorney’sOffice,withSeattleMunicipalCourt,launchedanambitiousupdateto


“ In my own life, the only person who had seen justice for domestic violence was my ex-fi ancé and that took 10 months of legal battles and the support of the prosecuting attorney’s offi ce. If I hadn’t had their support and a court advocate, perhaps I wouldn’t have gone all the way through to seeing justice.”

Fromavictimwhohadafamilyhistoryofviolenceandsexualabuse,andhercaseinSeattleMunicipalCourtwasthefirsttimeshehadseensomeoneprosecuted

38

opportunitytosucceed.ThecourthasalsobeenfortunatetocontinueitsstrongrelationshipwithAmeriCorps.Thesevolunteersworktirelesslytohelpparticipantsembracetheopportunitiesofthecourtandoftenworkside-by-sidewiththemoncommunityserviceprojects.

ThistimeofchangeforCommunityCourthasbeenbothchallengingandrewardingasweseehowtheimplementedupdatesaremakingsuchapositiveimpactonpeople’slives.Aswemoveforward,werec-ognizethedifficultieswefaceindealingwithindividualsoftensufferingfromseriouschemicaldependency

localresidents.ThissitehasquicklybecomeafavoriteofCommunityCourtparticipantswhohavecommentedonthesatisfactiontheyhavetakenfromtheworkatthefarmandwhoseeffortshavehelpedcontributetothe22,000poundsoffreshorganicproducegrownthere.

•SeattlePublicUtilities(SPU):AcommoncomplaintofSeattleresidentsistheblightofgraffitiinourneighborhoods.In2014,CommunityCourtteamedupwithSPUtoworkonitsgraffitiabatementproject.CommunityCourtparticipants,undersupervisionofournewCommunityServiceWorkCrewLeader,paintedovergraffitiatnumerouslocationsthroughouttheCity.

Throughout2014,CommunityCourtparticipantscon-tributedover5,000hoursofcommunityserviceatlocalnon-profitpartnersinSeattle.

Anotherchangefor2014wastheroll-outofadiffer-entplantoaddressprostitutioncases.Underthenewguidelines,allprostitutedpersonsaregiventheoppor-tunitytohavetheirchargesdismisseduponcompletionoftheirCommunityCourtobligations.ProstitutedpersonsenteringCommunityCourtmustattendafour-sessionSexIndustryWorker’sClass,completeanHIVtest,andmakesocialservicecontactsasdeter-minedbyaprobationcounselor.Attheclass,partici-pantscanmeetwithacasemanagerwhocanbetheiradvocateandassisttheminattainingwrap-aroundservices.

WhilemuchhaschangedaboutCommunityCourt,itstillremainsafirmpartnershipamongouroffice,municipalcourtandtheAssociatedCounselfortheAccusedDivisionoftheKingCountyDepartmentofPublicDefense.Collaboratingensuresthateachparticipantistreatedwithrespectandisgivenevery


2013 Reports Rec’d 9322014 Reports Rec’d ** 644Diff 2014–2013 (288)% Change -31%

2013 Cases Filed 419 2014 Cases Filed 329 DIFF 2014–2013 (90)% Change -21%

2013 Reports Declined 5132014 Reports Declined 366DIFF 2014–2013 (147)% Change -29%


2013 Avg. # Days From Date Rec’d to Dispo 6682014 Avg. # Days From Date Rec’d to Dispo 683

2013 In Custody Arrg. 2682014 In Custody Arrg. 243 DIFF 2014–2013 (25)% Change -9%

2013 Total # Bookings 872014 Total # Bookings 72DIFF 2014–2013 (15)% Change -17%

2013 Total Booked w/Case Declined at ICA 162014 Total Booked w/Case Declined at ICA 11DIFF 2014–2013 (5)% Change -31%

2013 Total Booked w/Case Declined 182014 Total Booked w/Case Declined 15

2013 Intake 4612014 Intake 359DIFF 2014–2013 (102)% Change -22%

2013 Motion Setting 282014 Motion Settings 49DIFF 2014–2013 21% Change 75%

2013 PTH Setting 9092014 PTH Setting 758DIFF 2014–2013 (151)% Change -17%

2013 Jury Trial Settings 452014 Jury Trial Settings 46DIFF 2014–2013 1 % Change 2%

2013 Jury Trials with Finding 02014 Jury Trials with Finding 2DIFF 2014–2013 2% Change 100%

2013 compared to 2014**DWLS-3 2014

** Auto decline filter was activated during a portion of 2014 and approximately 176 citations were not captured due to backlog.

1000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

DWLS –3 2014

20132014

**** Motion settings were not counted until Q1 2014

REPORTS CASES DECLINE ICA INTAKE MOTIONS**** PTH JURY JT SETS FINDINGS

COMPLETED***PENDING*

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0 2013 2014

DWLS– 3 2014 AVERAGE DAYS TO DISPOSITION

***Average Number of Days to Dispo beginning 2014 no longer include Dismissals Due to Age * Pending disposition = start date of PTD, DP, SOC and DC

39


MHCcanbeaneffectivetoolinassistingmentallyilldefendantstostayonmedicationsandstayengagedwithcommunitymentalhealthservices.AnexamplefromthisyearisthecaseofMr.S.Hismentalillnesscausedhimtobecomeobsessedwithhisformeremployer’sdaughter,andeventhoughnorelationshipexistedbetweenthem,hehadafixeddelusionshewashiswife.Thevictimandherfamilybecameveryafraidbecauseofhisrepeatedunwantedcontacts.Mr.Swaschargedwithonecountofstalking.Shortlyafterhisarrest,hewastransferredtoahospitalonaninvoluntarycivilcommitment.Followingthehospital-ization,Mr.Swasstableonmedicationsandwasnolongerfixatedonthevictim.TheCitywasconcerned,however,thatMr.Smightnotcontinuementalhealthtreatment.Consideringthathisstalkingbehaviorwascausedbymentalillness,theCityofferedatwo-yeardispositionalcontinuancetoresolvethecase,asopposedtorequiringaguiltypleaandconviction.Mr.SoptedintoMHCinMayandagreedtofollowtheconditionsofthecourtfortwoyears.Throughouttheremainderoftheyear,Mr.Smaintainedengagementwithhismentalhealthservices,continuedtotakehismentalhealthmedications,andmetregularlywithhisMHCprobationcounselor.

MHCalsocontinuestoresolveallcompetencyissues.Whenadefendantisfoundincompetenttostandtrialbecauseofmentaldiseaseordefect,theCitycannot

issuesormentalhealthconcerns.Westrivetoseektheproperbalancebetweenholdingpeopleaccountablefortheiractionsandprovidingthemtheservicestheyneedtokeepthemoutofthecriminaljusticesystem.

Whenitbegan,CommunityCourt’ssloganwas“anon-traditionalapproachtosolvingtraditionalprob-lems.”WehopethatwiththeupdatestotheprogramwecontinuetobeinnovatorsandcontinueourquesttomakeSeattleasaferandmorejustplacetolive.

Mental Health Court

SeattleMunicipalMentalHealthCourtcompletedits15thyearinoperationtoimprovepublicsafety,reducejailuseandinteractionwiththecriminaljusticesystemforpersonswithmentalillness,andconnectpartici-patingdefendantstomentalhealthservices.MentalHealthCourt(MHC)isavoluntaryprograminwhichdefendantsmustbewillingandcompetenttocomplywithconditionssetoutbythecourt.CAOisanintegralpartoftheMHCTeam,whichcomprisesajudge,pros-ecutinganddefenseattorneys,probationcounselorsandmentalhealthprofessionals.Inlate2011,thecourtcommissionedLawandPolicyAssociatestoconductastudyofMHC’sprocessesandoutcomes.ThestudywasreleasedinDecember2013,andthedatasug-gestedthattheprogramdidsupportMHC’sobjectives.ThisstudywasencouragingtotheMHCTeamasitcontinueditsworkin2014.

proceedwiththecriminalcharges.SomecasesqualifyforthedefendantstobetransferredtoWashingtonStateHospitalformedications.Usually,however,thechargesaredismissed.Toensurethesafetyofboththecommunityanddefendant,defendantsarereferredtomentalhealthprofessionalstodeterminewhethercivilcommitmentispriortorelease.Ourofficecontinuestoadvocateforbettercountyandstatefundingformentalhealthprograms.

Veterans Treatment Court

VeteransTreatmentCourt(VTC)beganservingeligibleveteransduringPete’sfirstterm,inSeptember2011.Itwascreatedtoservetheneedsofveteransnegativelyaffectedbytheirmilitaryservice.Itisavoluntarycourt-monitoredtherapeutictreatmentprogramthatbalancesthementalhealthand/orsub-stanceabuseneedsoftheveterandefendantswiththeneedforpublicsafety.Itwascreatedthroughthecollaborativeeffortsofouroffice,AssociatedCounselfortheAccused,thestateDepartmentofVeteranAffairs,theU.S.DepartmentofVeteranAffairs,KingCountyDepartmentofCommunityandHumanServicesandtheSeattleMunicipalCourt.SeattleVTCisthefirstatamunicipallevelinthestate;therearenoweightstatewide.

Anypersonwhohasservedatleasttwoyearsactivedutyinthearmedforces,wasdischargedhonorablyorgenerallyunderhonorableconditions,receives(oris

40


accomplishments,ratherthancomplianceissues,asonewouldexpectinatraditionalcourt.

TwelveveterandefendantswerewelcomedintoVTCin2014withaChallengeCoincreatedspecificallytomarktheirparticipation.Itcarriestheprogramlogoononeside,andthesealofeachbranchofthemilitaryontheother.

VTChasgraduated13veterandefendantsinthelasttwoyears.Eachgraduatereceivesaframedcertificateofgraduation,aVTClapelpin,andamilitarypatchreflectingtheirmilitarybranchofservice.Graduationceremoniesaffordpast/presentVTCteammemberstheopportunitytoexpresstheirprideinthedefendants’success.Allgraduateshavepreviouslyexperiencedtraditionalcourt,andexpressheartfeltgratitudeforthestructure,respect,supportandassistanceofVTC.TheVTCteamandthecamaraderieofmilitarycolleaguesmadeforapositiveexperiencefilledwithgrowth,hopeandnewbeginnings.

ThispastyearthecourtandVTCteamworkedwithacourtsystemsanalysttohelpimproveservicetoourveterandefendants.FourVTCsurveysarereadyforimplementationinearly2015,andwillbetrackedbytheResearchPlanningandEvaluationGroupatthecourt.

GraduatesaskabouthelpingsustainVTCforfutureveterans.In2015,theVTCteamwillcontinuetoworktowardsdevelopingaVeteranMentorProgramwhereVTCgraduatescanprovidemoraleandmotivationalsupporttocurrentandincomingveterans.

TheVTCteammaintainsanongoingcommitmenttolookingforwaystoimprovethecourt,toincreaseservicesforveterandefendants,andtoensurepublicsafety.

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)OurofficecontinuestoplayakeyroleintheLawEnforcementAssistedDiversionprogram(LEAD).The

eligibletoreceive)VAbenefits,hasanAxis1diagnosisand/orsubstanceabuseneedcanbereferredtoVTC.TheVTCclinicianmeetswithinterestedveteranstoconfirmtheirVAstatusandeligiblediagnosis/sub-stanceabuseneed,anddetermineswhethertheyareamenabletotreatment.Amenabilitycontemplatespriortreatmentcompliance,theveterandefendant’sinsightintotheirdiagnosisand/oraddiction,aswellastheirmotivationforrecovery.Eligibleveteranswillbeaskedtomeettheteamandobservethecourt.

VTCoperatesdifferentlythantraditionalcourts.Followingthementalhealthcourtmodel,veterandefendantsmustattendtreatment,abstainfromalcoholandnon-prescribeddrugs,andattendfrequentcourtreviews.Graduatedsanctionsareemployedtoencouragecompliance,withterminationfromthepro-gramasthelastresort.Themostsignificantdifferencefromatraditionalcourtisthecohorteffectachievedbyhavingveteransassembleasagroupforthehearing.Ratherthanleavingcourtwhentheirhearingisfinished,veteransmuststayfortheentirecalendarsotheyobservethestrugglesandaccomplishmentsoftheirfellowdefendants.

TheVTCteamiscomprisedofanassistantcitypros-ecutor,twodefenseattorneysfromtheAssociatedCounselfortheAccusedDivisionoftheOfficeofPublicDefense,acourtclinicianfromSeattleMentalHealth,twoVeteranJusticeOutreachSocialWorkersfromtheVA,arepresentativefromtheWashingtonDepartmentofVeteranAffairs,twoSMCprobationcounselors,andthejudge.Exceptforthejudge,theVTCteamattendsaweeklypre-courtmeetingtodiscusseachveterandefendanttobesureallexpectationsofthecourtandindividualneedsarebeingmet.Theteamthenappearsbeforethejudgetomakearecordoftheveterandefen-dants’progress.Moreoftenthannot,VTCreviewsarepositiveandtheteamcanfocusonincremental

programallowscertaindrugorprostitutioncrimestobedivertedfromcriminalchargesatthediscretionofthearrestingofficerwhenthesuspectagreestoengageinservicessuchaschemicaldependencyormentalhealthtreatment.TheCAOattendstwice-monthlystaffingmeetingsinwhichreferraldecisionsandprogramparticipantprogressisreviewed.Thecol-laborativesharingofinformationisinvaluableinassist-ingourofficeinthebestwaytohandlesubsequentoffensesbythosealreadyengagedinLEAD.OneLEADparticipanthadseveralcasespendingthatinvolvedrepeatedtrespassinginthesameparkinggaragedowntown.HebecameengagedinservicesthroughLEAD,foundhousing,andagreedtoinpatientchemicaldependencytreatment.Basedonhisprogressovertime,theCAOsubstantiallyreducedtherecommenda-tionsonhispendingcharges,soadditionaljailwouldnotinterferewithhishousingandtreatment.AnotherparticipantwasdivertedintoLEAD,butinspiteofextensiveeffortsbyhiscasemanagertoengageinser-vices,herefusedandcontinuedtoaccumulatemultiplemisdemeanortheftcharges.TheLEADteamagreedthattheprogramwasnoteffectiveforthisindividualsoprosecutionofhispendingcasesproceeded.

The Criminal Division continuestoworkwithotherCitydepartmentsinreviewingincidentreportsforlesscom-monchargesinSMC.Thisyear,weworkedcloselywithAnimalControltoreviewandfilecasesforneglectandcruelty,andnegligentcontrolofanimals.WeworkedwithCodeComplianceandConsumerProtectiontoreviewcasesforcriminalchargeswhenbusinessown-ersrepeatedlyfailedtocomplywithbusinesslicenseandtaxrequirements.

AsignificantcasefromtheFireDepartmentinvolvedtheillegalpossessionandstorageoffireworksbyaBuddhisttemple.A12-year-oldtemplememberwasseriouslyburnedwhenheignitedtheexplosives.TheCAO

41


determinedtheremayhavebeensufficientevidencetofilecriminalchargesbutdecidedanotherroutewasmoreprudent:Inexchangefornocriminalcharges,thetempleagreedtoabidebyasetofconditionstoensurethesafetyofthetempleanditsmembers.Werealizedtherewasageneralmisunderstanding,orlackofinfor-mation,aboutwhatwasorwasnotpermissibleinthecommunitiesthatusefireworksforreligiousandculturalcelebrations.WeworkedwiththeFireDepartment’sPublicEducationDivisiontosetupacommunityout-reachmeetingintheInternationalDistrictthatcoveredthepermittingprocessandgeneralsafetyinformation.ThemeetinginDecemberofferedinformationalhand-outstranslatedintoseverallanguages,andtranslatorserviceswereofferedforthemeeting.

42

ADMINISTRATION DIVISION

TheAdministrationDivisionprovidesexecutiveleadership,communicationsandoperationalsupportforthe160-employeedepartmentandnumerousinternsandvolunteers.Thedivisioncomprisesthecityattorney,hisimmediatestaffandtheaccounting,humanresourcesandinfor-mationtechnologysections.

PetewillensuretheofficeremainstransparentandaccessibletothepeopleofSeattle.In2014,theofficecontinuedtoproduceitsbi-monthlyelectronicnewsletterforthepublic(E-Newsletter).Thenewsletterprovidesupdatesonnewlegislation,currentevents,significantcasesandnewslinks.Inaddition,theadministration

staffpreparesabi-monthlyinternalemployeenewsletter,In Brief.

Budgeting for an Office MoveTheAdministrationDivisionwasinstru-mentalinhelpingtheofficeachieveitsbudgetgoalsfor2014.Theteamtracksexpenditures,ensuressalariesandotherpersonnelcostsmeettheCity’scom-pensationstandards,andforecastscostsanticipatedlaterintheyear.Aspartofthe2015budgetprocess,thedepartmentnegotiatedandreceivedapprovalfromtheCityCouncilfora12-yearofficeleaseatColumbiaCenter.Forthefirsttimeinover20years,allemployeesoftheCityAttorney’sOfficewillbeinonebuilding.Bringingthestafftogetherwillpromote

furthercollaborationandteamworkwithintheofficewhilestillremainingclosetoourclientsinCityHall,SeattleMunicipalTowerandtheJusticeCenter.ConstructionofthenewofficespacebeganinNovember2014andmovingisslatedforApril2015.TheofficewilltakeoveralmostthreefullfloorsinColumbiaCenterat701FifthAve.

Besidesplanningfortheofficemove,thedepartmentaddedtwonewpositionstoprovidelegaladviceandsupporttotheSeattlePoliceDepartment.

Volunteer and Externship ProgramsTheCityAttorney’sOfficehasalonghistoryofprovidingopportunitiesforvolunteersandstudentexterns.The

goaloftheprogramistoteachstudentsaboutthelegalprocessandcriminaljusticesystem.TheCriminalDivisionprogramoffersopportunitiestobothundergraduateandlawstudents,whiletheCivilDivisionprogramfocusesexclusivelyonlawstudentsandlawyers.

CriminalDivisionprogram:Participantslearnaboutthecriminaljusticesystemwhilecombiningclassroomknowledgewithon-the-jobtraining.Lawstudentsworksidebysidewithprosecutorstolearnthebasicsofcasepreparation,filingandtrialwork.During2014,31volunteersandlawstudentsdonatedapproximately7,040hours;theequiv-alentofaboutthreefull-timepositions.

Raising money for nonprofits Attorneys locate their new offices Pete’s hard-hat tour of construction A summer get-together at the office

43


Ofthe31volunteers,12weremaleand19werefemale.

CivilDivisionprogram:TheCivilDivisionexternshipprogramhosted12vol-unteerlegalexterns(eightmaleandfourfemale)lastyear.Lawstudentsconductedlegalresearch,wrotebriefs,observedcourtproceedingsandassistedattorneyswithavarietyofemployment,landuse,governmentaffairsandtortscasesin2014.

Information TechnologyDaily,thedepartment’sITstaffsup-ports190desktopcomputers,15laptopsandfourdepartment-specificserversforstaffinCityHall,SeattleMunicipalTower,SeattleMunicipalCourt,SeattlePoliceDepartmentheadquartersandfiveSeattlepoliceprecincts.Inaddi-tion,theITteamworkscollaborativelywiththeseniorplanningandmanage-mentstaffintheCity’sDepartmentofInformationTechnology(DoIT)toimple-mentimprovementstocitywidedatasystemsandsecurity.

Citywide Projects:In2014,theCitybeganworkonanenterprise-wideprojecttoreplaceitsemailarchivingsystem.Thissavesand

protectsdatainemailmessagesforretrievalatalaterdate.TheITteamworkedcloselywiththeprojectman-agerandDoITtomakesurecurrentandfuturearchivepracticesalignwiththedepartment’sandCity’smethodsforpreservingemailusedinlitigationandincompliancewiththestatePublicRecordsAct.Thenewsystemisscheduledtogoliveinmid-2015.

Department-wide Projects:WiththeCity’smovetoanewwebpublishingsystem,theITteamdevotedconsiderabletimetorevampingtheCityAttorney’sOfficepublic-facingwebsite.Thissystem,developedbytheCity,allowsbettercontentmanagement,includingpermissionsfornon-tech-nicalstafftoauthorwebpages.Thiswillhelptheofficekeepinformationonourwebsitecurrent,makeupdat-ingpageseasier,andreducebrokenlinkstooldordeactivatedsites.PhaseIisduetolaunchinearly2015andPhaseIIenablingnewauthorsissetformid-2015.

ArolloutandreplacementofexistingNetbooks(smalllaptops)wascom-pletedin2014.Thenewertouch-screen

technologyusedinWindows8providesbetterefficiencyoverthepriorWindows7netbooks.CriminalDivisionprosecu-torsnowusethesedevicesinSeattleMunicipalCourttoassistinschedulingtrialsandaccessingcaseinformation.Inaddition,severalnetbooksareavailableforCivilDivisionemployeestoallowelectronicaccesstodocumentsatmeetings,reducingtheneedtoprintandtransportlegaldocumentstoandfromoff-siteappointments.

Criminal Division:AneweDiscoverymodulewasreleasedin2014aspartoftheoffice-widemovetowardpaperlesscasefilinganddocu-mentmanagement.TheITteamtrainedprosecutorsusingtheCaseNavigatortoreviewarchiveddocumentsandtrainedsupportstafftoperformcasedocumentarchiving.WithPhaseIlaunchedin2014,theITteamwillcontinuetoworkwithstafftorevampbusinesspractices.ThismigrationawayfrompaperfilescoincideswithSeattleMunicipalCourt’srecentlaunchofelectroniccasefiling.

Public Records Requests: Throughouttheyear,theAdministrationteamproducedresponsesto169Public

RecordsActrequestsreceivedbytheCityAttorney.Also,assistantcityattor-neysprovidedextensivelegaladviceandcompliancetrainingregardingpublicdisclosurerequeststoouremployees,stafffromotherCitydepartments,theMayor’sOfficeandtheCityCouncil.

Race & Social Justice Initiative: Human Resources TheHumanResourcesstaffcontinueditsfocusontheCity’sRaceandSocialJusticeInitiativein2014.Staffmem-bersattendedtrainingonDiversityinHiringandRecruiting,whichpromptedachangeinthelanguageofourjobpost-ings,diversityofourinterviewpanels,anddraftingofinterviewquestions.Besidespostingattorneyandparalegaljobannouncementswithlocalminoritybarassociations,theofficereneweditscommitmenttohonorandrespectcul-turaldifferencesintheworkplaceandacrosstheCity.

44

Seattle City AttorneyAnnual Report 2014

Kimberly Mills

Communications Director

206.684.8602

[email protected]