Here are a few updates from this week’s activities at the Seattle City Council:

• I-5 lid resolution: The Seattle City Council voted Tuesday to approve a resolution supporting efforts to lid I-5. CHS reported here on the resolution reviving legislative efforts to spark what could be massively expensive — and possibly massively lucrative — developments and tying together neighborhoods in the city’s core. The resolution is hoped to set the next stage in moving efforts to lid the freeway into real plans. CHS reported here in 2019 on a $1.5 million study that explored the technical feasibility of building a lid with possible green spaces and public parks, schools, and affordable housing developments. Federal money may be available to help boost the effort. The projects could also present the city with vital revenue opportunities as it looks to manage an increasingly challenging budgetary environment. Councilmembers Sara Nelson and Alex Pedersen abstained from the vote, continuing their practice in opposition to the council’s non-binding resolutions. District 3’s Kshama Sawant was not present for the vote.
• Traffic camera legislation passes: The councilmembers were unanimous Tuesday in their support for legislation expanding automated traffic cameras throughout Seattle. CHS reported here on the plans for expanded “full-time” traffic cameras — including $75 crosswalk camera fines. “The bill also reinvests the revenue raised from the fines into traffic safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles,” a council briefing on the bill reads.The city’ automated traffic cameras would be allowed “near hospitals and parks citywide” and would “function like school speeding cameras but run 24/7.” “First-time violations in the new zones will only be issued a warning instead of a fine,” the council briefing promises.
• Water rates update: The Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee heard an update this week on proposed water rates in Seattle. “Because of cost savings, rates are proposed to only rise 2% between 2024 – 2026 instead of the originally approved 3.6% – 5.5%,” a brief on the proposed update reads. Currently, a typical household spends about $49 a month. With the new proposed rates, a household would pay about $51 a month in 2026, an increase of about $2 a month over 3 years. You can view the presentation on the update here (PDF).