King County Council Votes Not to Vote, Breaks Hearts Across the County
Earlier today, we let you know about today's meeting to make a decision on the future of Metro. And what a meeting it was--at almost 6 hours beginning-to-end, the final vote couldn't have come soon enough. Unfortunately, it never did come.
The Council joined at 1 p.m. to talk through their "full agenda" which in addition to the matter of Metro's financial crisis, also included heady topics regarding incarceration and pretrial detention of non-convicted suspects, as well as grants for Sound Transit and several ordinances to authorize various collective bargaining agreements made earlier this month. The congestion reduction charge was the 47th order of business for the day, and slated to begin with testimonies from the public at around 3 p.m.
During a long recess just before 3:00, those who had signed up to testify filed into the County's chambers on 3rd Avenue. As they patiently waited for the last agenda item, many Tweeted nervously rehearsed their testimonies, using the hashtag #SaveKCMetro to keep track of others who were also keeping tabs on the topic.
At 4:15, more than 60 people began to testify, one by one. Aside from the first testimony, which was in favor of allowing Metro to cut service and opposed the congestion reduction charge, nearly every single other member of the public spoke or signed that they relied on Metro's current level of service, and that passing the charge was imperative. In the end, just 2 spoke out against the charge. Several members of the deaf and blind community made comments about equal access and disability accommodation, while students urged the County not to see the fee as a bailout for a agency, but as a necessity for the public. Speakers also testified that the charge would help curb additional traffic, as well as air pollutants and road wear-and-tear. A handful of motorists also spoke up in favor of paying the fee, on behalf of those who are transit-dependent. 
This is what happens with the KC Council is at recess. It comes with some really snazzy elevator music.
Testimonies continued for nearly 2 hours. Many of those who testified had been present at one or more additional hearings--which was more than could be said of Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, who was present for part of the Council meeting, but left for the bulk of the public hearing. He has missed every other public hearing on the matter. Following his lead, more Councilmembers left after the clock struck 5 p.m. At the end of the public testimony, only Joe McDermott, Reagan Dunn, and the Larry--Gossett and Phillips--remained for the entire hearing. The rest trickled in and out, conspicuously missing testimonies.
The public hearing ended at around 6 p.m, and was followed by a recess. At 6:15, discussions began between Councilmembers. They lasted for about 45 seconds, before von Reichbauer requested yet another 15 minute recess to "review additional information." The request was granted.
After over 40 minutes, the Council reconvened to finally discuss the matter at hand.
The discussion began with Councilmember Patterson, who stated that the Council was "definitely divided." She asked for 2 more weeks to try to come to a decision. At this time, Council chair Gossett asked Jim Brewer, legal counsel, the last available day to enact an ordinance for the November ballot. His answer? August 15.
Instead of passing a divided vote, then, the County Council decided to wait, and continue discussions until that time. If the Council does not pass an emergency decision before that time, the matter will go to the voters.
