Summary
Committee recommends passage of ethics, SODO BIA, and employment ordinances; confirms three reappointments
SeattleDec 11, 20252 min read
At a glance
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On December 11, 2025 the Governance, Accountability, and Economic Development Committee met in Council Chamber and recommended City Council pass ordinances on the Ethics Code for political consultants (as amended), SODO Parking and Business Improvement Area assessment changes (as amended), civil service exemptions/returns, and a Deferred Compensation Analyst classification; the committee also recommended confirmation of three reappointments to advisory bodies. Meeting started at 2:03 p.m. and adjourned at 4:18 p.m.
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Key decisions
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- CB 121130 — Ethics Code: Committee recommends City Council pass as amended (In Favor: Nelson, Kettle, Rivera; Opposed: Hollingsworth; Abstain: Lin). Establishes reporting/disclosure for political consultants, prohibits concurrent city consulting, and adds a cooling-off period (new SMC 4.16.072; amends SMC 4.16.030).
- CB 121073 — SODO Parking and Business Improvement Area: Committee recommends City Council pass as amended (In Favor: Nelson, Kettle, Hollingsworth, Lin, Rivera; Opposed: None). Changes assessment rate and exemptions; amends prior ordinance 125678 (as amended by 126191).
- CB 121141 — City employment (civil service): Committee recommends City Council pass the bill (In Favor: Nelson, Kettle, Hollingsworth, Lin, Rivera; Opposed: None). Exempts positions from and returns positions to the civil service system; amends SMC 4.13.010 (requires 2/3 Council vote).
- CB 121142 — Deferred Compensation Analyst classification: Committee recommends City Council pass the bill (In Favor: Nelson, Kettle, Hollingsworth, Lin, Rivera; Opposed: None). Establishes classification series and pay rates in Seattle City Employees’ Retirement System.
- Appt 03107 — Reappointment of Thomas J. Kelly to Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (term to 12/31/2027): Committee recommends confirmation (In Favor: Nelson, Kettle, Hollingsworth, Lin, Rivera; Opposed: None).
- Appt 03108 — Reappointment of Lisa Reager to Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (term to 12/31/2027): Committee recommends confirmation (In Favor: Nelson, Kettle, Hollingsworth, Lin, Rivera; Opposed: None).
- Appt 03437 — Reappointment of Jonathan Schirmer to Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (term to 12/31/2028): Committee recommends confirmation (In Favor: Nelson, Kettle, Hollingsworth, Lin, Rivera; Opposed: None).
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Meeting information
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Governance, Accountability, and Economic Development Committee
Dec 11, 2025, 12:00 AMCouncil Chamber, City Hall
600 4th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104scheduled
Public Hearing
Agenda
- This meeting also constitutes a meeting of the City Council, provided that the meeting shall be conducted as a committee meeting under the Council Rules and Procedures, and Council action shall be limited to committee business. Pursuant to Council Rule VI.C.10, members of the public providing public comment in Chambers will be broadcast via Seattle Channel.
- Please Note: Times listed are estimated
- Call To Order
- Approval of the Agenda
- Public Comment
- Items of Business
- AN ORDINANCE relating to the Ethics Code; establishing reporting and disclosure requirements for political consultants; prohibiting political consultants from providing political consulting services without reporting; adding a new Section 4.16.072 to the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Section 4.16.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
- AN ORDINANCE relating to the SODO Parking and Business Improvement Area; changing the assessment rate and exemptions; and amending Ordinance 125678, as previously amended by Ordinance 126191.
- AN ORDINANCE relating to City employment; exempting positions from the civil service system; returning positions to the civil service system; and amending Section 4.13.010 of the Seattle Municipal Code; all by a 2/3 vote of the City Council.
- AN ORDINANCE relating to City employment; and establishing the Deferred Compensation Analyst classification title series and corresponding rates of pay in the Seattle City Employees’ Retirement System.
- Reappointment of Thomas J. Kelly as member, Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, for a term to December 31, 2027.
- Reappointment of Lisa Reager as member, Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, for a term to December 31, 2027.
- Reappointment of Jonathan Schirmer as member, Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, for a term to December 31, 2028.
- Appointment of Pimnipa Thawai as member, Domestic Workers Standards Board, for a term to February 28, 2028.
- Adjournment
Documents from this meeting
- Agendahttps://legistar2.granicus.com/seattle/meetings/2025/12/6499_A_Governance%2C_Accountability%2C_and_Economic_Development_Committee_25-12-11_Committee_Agenda.pdf
- Minuteshttps://legistar2.granicus.com/seattle/meetings/2025/12/6499_M_Governance%2C_Accountability%2C_and_Economic_Development_Committee_25-12-11_Committee_Minutes.pdf
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