Parks and City Light Committee

Executive Summary

The Parks and City Light Committee held a brief but productive meeting addressing routine administrative matters for Seattle City Light. The session focused on two main areas: property rights acquisition and apprenticeship program governance. All items passed unanimously with minimal discussion, reflecting the routine nature of the business. The committee approved two ordinances accepting electrical distribution easements totaling 211 properties in King County—61 individual easements and 150 platted subdivision easements from 2024-2025. These property rights enable Seattle City Light to connect new customers to the electrical grid by running infrastructure across private property. The committee also confirmed four reappointments to the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), the body that oversees Seattle's apprenticeship programs for electrical workers, water/pipe workers, and auto mechanics. The appointees represent both labor and management perspectives, ensuring balanced oversight of training programs that prepare workers for skilled trades careers while earning wages and receiving full educational funding from the city. Public comment included concerns about solar net metering policy approaching its 93% cap and questions about Seattle City Light's interim CEO appointment process. The meeting concluded efficiently within 50 minutes, with all items advancing to full City Council consideration.

Key Decisions & Actions

**CB 121169 - Distribution Easements** - **Action:** Committee recommended passage (5-0) - **Details:** Accepts 61 electrical distribution easements in King County for infrastructure connecting individual customers - **Staff Recommendation:** Approval - **Next Step:** March 10, 2026 City Council meeting **CB 121170 - Platted Easements** - **Action:** Committee recommended passage (5-0) - **Details:** Accepts 150 electrical distribution easements covering entire subdivisions and short plats - **Staff Recommendation:** Approval - **Next Step:** March 7, 2026 City Council meeting **Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Reappointments** - **Action:** Committee recommended confirmation of all four appointees (5-0) - **Appointees:** Summer Hepburn (labor, SPU, term to Dec 31, 2026), Todd Toshio Snider (management, SPU, term to Dec 31, 2026), Jeffrey G. Berry (labor, City Light, term to Dec 31, 2027), Michiko Starks (management, City Light, term to Dec 31, 2027) - **Next Step:** March 10, 2026 City Council meeting

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Notable Quotes

**Chair Debora Juarez, on apprenticeship program value:** "More and more as the digital divide starts to happen and there's more and more focus on jobs and technology and things like that I think often those tried and true trades that have been around for more than 100 years sort of get lost." **Will Sumner, on solar industry concerns:** "Mixed messaging wreaks havoc in our world and bad players have been known to capitalize on that with high-pressure sales tactics. So clear messaging on when decisions will be made is really helpful to us as an industry." **DaVonna Johnson, on apprenticeship opportunities:** "The best part about the city apprenticeships is not only do you get the on-the-job training but we also pay for all of the schooling, all the equipment and gear. There is not that sort of financial barrier that there often is when people go into other apprenticeship programs." **Councilmember Dan Strauss, on workforce development:** "The apprenticeship program is such a key way to bridge those two pieces. And to create those steps for opportunities. The individual who may not have all the skills, that they can learn and they can be trained." **Chair Juarez, on artificial intelligence impact:** "A.I. takes over the only are going to be plumbers, carpenters, I'm sorry but that is what's going to happen. Maybe not lawyers." **Councilmember Rivera, on trade program impact:** "When we are empowering people with these opportunities and skills so that is the Georgetown location branch of the South Seattle college in my district... It's important work and literally helping to build and shape our future of the city of Seattle."