Nick Licata

Friends of Seattle's picture

Nick Licata is running for Seattle City Council Position 6.

Table of Contents

 

Analysis

Nick Licata is a solid incumbent, and we appreciate his 12 years of service to Seattle. Councilmember Licata is an accessible and congenial elected official, always willing to engage in dialogue with his constituents, even those with whom he disagrees. Councilmember Licata shares many values and priorities with Friends of Seattle, and we greatly appreciate his leadership on issues such as the Pedestrian Master Plan.

But we are ready for a new leader at Position 6. Although Councilmember Licata is very good at questioning the cost-effectiveness of large capital projects, such as two-way Mercer Street or streetcar expansion, we think it’s time for a councilmember who has innovative and constructive ideas for diversifying our transportation network, lightening our environmental footprint, and building more walkable communities. Further, we are uneasy about an issue that we have long disagreed with Councilmember Licata on---the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Councilmember Licata is not ready to oppose the tunnel unless its financing plan collapses. If it does, it is quite likely that the state will then insist on a new elevated viaduct. In his interview with us, Councilmember Licata said, “I don’t think, politically speaking, that the elevated is going to go.” At the state level, however, politics could shift in favor of it, and Councilmember Licata told us, “I always thought a slimmed-down elevated could fit.” Councilmember Licata did express some interest in an I-5+surface+transit alternative, but if the tunnel does not pencil out, we would be loath to see any of Seattle’s elected officials embrace a state plan to build an elevated highway instead.

We like Councilmember Licata, but we do not recommend voting for him this election.

 

Interview

 

 

Questionnaire Responses

Table of Contents:

General Questions

 

Friends of Seattle's Mission

I have been a leader on creating walkable, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods through my work on and in creating the Council's Pedestrian Safety Committee, my support for additional funding the Bicycle Master Plan, and advocacy for a cost-effective transit network.

I have consistently worked for affordable and low-income housing; advocated for open space, in particular small parks in dense areas through creation of the Open Space Gap report showing areas of need, and I have been the biggest supporter of the arts among elected officials, and I support of the Zero Waste program, including the Green Bag Fee.

Qualifications

  • Please describe any professional accomplishments that demonstrate your effectiveness as an elected official (if you are an incumbent) or would demonstrate your effectiveness as an elected official (if you have not yet held office).

In 2005, I became chair of the City Council's Public Safety Committee, and to find out what the top public safety priority was for Seattle's residents and businesses. I held a city-wide forum involving hundreds of citizens, police officers, and Councilmembers. The response was clear: people wanted more police officers.

I then worked with fellow Councilmembers to increase funding to hire additional officers. In the 2006 budget, the Council approved $1 million beyond the Mayor's proposed funding. In the 2007-8 budget, I sponsored a comprehensive $5.9 million program to hire additional officers and fund prevention programs the Council passed unanimously.

Representing Seattle

Background: Seattle is the most populous city in Washington and is the state's economic engine. At the same time, Seattle cannot address many of its problems without working with King County, regional entities (Sound Transit and the PSRC), and the state government. Yet many observers believe that Seattle's interests are represented inadequately at those levels. For example, the Muni League has criticized the 40-20-40 rule for allocating new Metro transit funding. Further, transit advocates note that the state's current tax system disadvantages transit. And the Legislature refused to allocate federal stimulus dollars for road projects in Seattle.

  • As an elected official representing Seattle, how would you work with King County, regional governmental entities, the state legislature, and the governor to ensure their budgets and policies address Seattle's needs?

I will call for Seattle City Council to work with the Mayor's office in hosting a high level meeting among our Seattle delegation (of which 15 of the 18 have endorsed me), along with County Councilmembers and their Executive branch this fall, in preparation in going to the state legislature with a clear, coordinated message that Seattle is the hub for this region's economic vitality and that it must receive adequate revenue to build a public transit system that is both flexible, through Bus Rapid Transit, and secure, through fixed light rail, to better serve our State's economic future.

City Council Committees

  • If you are elected, which issues would you like included in your portfolio as a committee chair?

I would apply the City Auditor's guidelines in evaluating major capitol projects to the various issues before my committee. Beginning major projects without secured funds, jeopardizes or eliminates other just as important smaller projects in a haphazard fashion. To pursue a sustainable environment we need to assure that many small community projects are funded.

I would also like to continue to oversee arts and culture. In particular I want the recommendations of the CODAC (Cultural Overlay District Advisory Committee) adopted by the city, so as to preserve the vibrancy and cultural character of some of our unique neighborhoods.

Issues

 

Waste Reduction

Background: Rather than build an expensive new transfer in Georgetown to handle the growing volume of trash generated in Seattle, the City of Seattle adopted a "Zero Waste Strategy" centered on reducing waste. As part of that strategy, the City Council adopted a 20-cent "green fee" for disposable shopping bags.

  • Do you support the green fee? Why or why not?

Yes. I strongly supported and voted for the Zero Waste Strategy, of which the green fee is just one part.

The Zero Waste Strategy is a far-reaching approach that will lead to increased recycling, less waste, and prevented the need for building an expensive new City waste dump.

The green fee emulates an approach used in Ireland which proved very successful in reducing plastic bag use; the United Nations now recognizes the harm created by plastic bags.

I introduced language to ensure increased outreach to food banks, so that those most needy would not incur any additional expenses.

Alaskan Way Viaduct

Background: Governor Gregoire signed a legislative bill ordering the Washington State Department of Transportation to design a bored tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. This bill contains language allocating cost overruns to Seattle citizens, although some question whether the language has legal significance. Notwithstanding that provision, the City of Seattle committed $930 million and the Port of Seattle $300 million to finance the tunnel. Although the exact tax consequences of these commitments are not totally clear, it is safe to assume that the Port's contribution would result in higher property taxes for Seattle property owners, and the City's pledge would be funded with increases in property taxes, City Light utility rates, and possibly other taxes and fees.

  • Do you support the plan to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a bored tunnel? Why or why not?

    • As a practical matter, with the support of the Governor, State Legislature, Mayor and Council, the deep bore tunnel is moving forward. As the design work moves from less than 5% to 30% next year, we must see if its construction cost assumptions are accurate and they match available funding. If they do not, a tunnel may not be affordable and thus an alternative should be available to pursue which relies more on public transit and produces a lower carbon footprint.

  • If you support the tunnel, what would you do to address the cost-overruns issue?

    • I was the first to raise the issue of cost overruns, and at my behest the Council passed legislation calling for a financial agreement, which the Mayor and Governor in the end agreed to.

    Although the state legislature mandated that "property owners in the Seattle area" must pay cost overruns, given state law that requires property tax increases of over 1% be subject to a public vote, one would be required within Seattle. In addition, to best avoid cost overruns, any tunnel must use the design-build construction contract method, to place the risk of cost overruns on the contractor, rather than the public.

  • If you oppose the tunnel, what would you do to prevent its implementation?

    • Cost estimates are the most critical factor. The state legislature mandated a study, due next January, on how much tolling revenue could be expected to rise. An earlier study estimated less than $100 million could be raised, which calls into question the $400 million line-item in the current budget.

    If it is necessary to remove the Viaduct before tunnel construction begins, we would gain the opportunity to measure traffic flow and congestion in the absence of the Viaduct; but we must take precautions to accommodate our freight movements through this corridor during that period of time.

Transit

Background: The City of Seattle already contributes to local transit. The City put together the financing package to construct the South Lake Union streetcar line, and the City and King County Metro share the ongoing operating costs for that line. Further, the Bridging the Gap tax package finances some Metro bus service within Seattle, and Bridging the Gap also pays for street improvements designed to expedite bus travel.

  • If elected, how do you intend to improve the in-city transit system?

Transit in Seattle must be improved in the most cost-effective way possible. To maximize hours of transit service, we must examine operating costs. Bus service has the lowest costs. I supported Bridging the Gap funding to partner with King County Metro to add new service.

Streetcars can be useful if they add service hours. This is not the case with the South Lake Union streetcar line, which, because of higher operating costs than buses, results in fewer hours of transit service for Seattle residents. On the other hand the new First Hill line will add new hours of service.

Bicycle Infrastructure

Background: The City of Seattle has adopted a Bicycle Master Plan, which provides a vision for improving bicycling facilities in Seattle.

  • Do you support the Bicycle Master Plan? [Yes/No only please]

    • Yes.

  • If you support it, do you have ideas for improving the plan?

    • I have read the plan, it is a good one; we need to move forward with it. Any future plan improvements should be undertaken with the City's Bicycling Advisory Board after sufficient public input. The plan took over a year to complete and now needs to be fully funded to increase the number of bicycle lanes and shared lane markings by roughly ten times over a ten year period.

    Educating the public is an important element of the plan, to change the culture of using Seattle's road network; making bicycle travel more visible and accessible, and hence safer.

  • If you support it, how do you suggest the City fund the plan?

To fully fund the $240 million estimated cost of the improvements foreseen in the Bicycle Master Plan I proposed $10 million in funding for the Bicycle Master Plan from expected but unappropriated future revenues of the City's commercial parking tax, instead of dedicating the extra revenues to the Mercer Project. We should also work with the State legislature to identify possible dedicated revenue for making bicycle and pedestrian improvements. I have tried to get the Council to dedicate the current revenue from red-light camera enforcement for those purposes rather than having it go to the general fund.

Pedestrian Infrastructure

The City Council is considering whether to adopt a draft Pedestrian Master Plan.

  • Do you support the Pedestrian Master Plan? [Yes/No only please]

    • Yes.

  • If you support it, do you have ideas for improving the plan?

    • In 2007, I created a Special Council Committee on Pedestrian Safety which later convened the Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group. I am pleased that SDOT has created funding criteria, but I also believe that a funding plan should be part of the master plan. The vision that Seattle become a "walking city" recognizes that as we grow, people will walk in ever-increasing numbers. To be a "walking city" we must make walking safer. I believe enforcement of the City's laws that protect users of non-motorized vehicles should be of equal priority to the objectives of new infrastructure investments.

  • If you support it, how do you suggest the City fund the plan?

Bridging the Gap will provide approximately $60 million with $41 million going to new infrastructure and $19 million for maintenance; still only pays a small percentage of the Plan's improvements. During the 12-month pilot project for the red light program alone, ~16,000 citations were issued and over $1 million collected, all going into the general fund. In the 2008 special pedestrian safety budget, I proposed revenue from the City's red light and speed enforcement cameras fund the pedestrian plan. Since we are now expanding the number of cameras, the revenue can be extended to bicycle improvements as well.

Land Use and Multifamily Housing

Background: According to U.S. Census data cited in the Seattle Comprehensive Plan, about half of Seattle's households live in multifamily housing. Further, according to the Plan, approximately 40% of Seattle's total land area is set aside for residential use-35% for single-family residences but only 5% for multifamily dwellings. That 5% dedicated to multifamily housing tends to be concentrated in "urban villages" or along arterial streets, which are noisy and dirty. However, "backyard cottages" (also known as "detached accessory dwelling units) are also allowed in singe-family zones in Southeast Seattle.

  • Would you support legislation to allow backyard cottages to be built in all single-family zones? [Yes/No only please]

    • Yes.

  • Would you ever support a contract rezone or a broader rezone allowing for more housing to be built on a site? [Yes/No only please]

    • Yes.

  • If you support the basic concept of rezoning, what criteria would you use in deciding on specific locations where more housing should be built?

    • Areas near light rail stations and BRT plazas provide opportunities. South Lake Union and the north parking lots of the stadiums are other areas. In my experience neighborhoods are more likely to support increasing density if they are involved, as was the case with numerous upzones during the neighborhood planning process.

    I support rezones in exchange for increased affordable housing, open space and other amenities, and support replacement of any removed multifamily housing serving low income residents.

    Contract rezones are limited by specific legal criteria; I have supported each one before the Council except the notorious "Ricks" strip club rezones.

Many newly built townhouses in Seattle are architectural atrocities, and site plans tend to be car-dominated. Most townhouse developments are exempt from the City of Seattle's Design Review Program. It is also difficult to find attractive new condos and apartment buildings. To address some of these problems, the City Council is considering a package of revisions to the zoning code.

  • Do you support the proposed revisions to the multifamily housing zoning code? [Yes/No only please]

    • Yes.

  • If you support the revisions, do you have ideas for improving the proposed revisions?

    • The current proposal does not include a) Lowrise Duplex Triplex, b) L1, or c) L2 areas to be eligible for additional height. I would be willing to consider some additional height in these areas if more affordable housing (above and beyond the affordable housing required for rezones proposed for L3 zones, urban centers, and urban villages) was required.

City Governance

Yes.

Creative Response

  • If you have additional thoughts on how to improve Seattle's city government or to make Seattle a more livable and sustainable city, please note them here.

I strongly support the Vote Clean Seattle plan, and co-sponsored legislation creating the Campaign Public Financing Advisory Committee that developed it.

I strongly support pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. One area unmentioned in the questionnaire is the importance of additional sidewalks, which are key to pedestrian access to transit and neighborhood business districts especially for disabled and elderly people.

I also strongly support expanding the urban forest canopy in Seattle. Tree cover provides immense benefits to removing air pollution and absorbing water, thus reducing stormwater runoff and expenses. My support for the urban environment is reflected in my endorsement by the Sierra Club.