Title
A MOTION approving a reimagining transit safety and security implementation report, in response to the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 19210, Section 113, Proviso P5.
Body
WHEREAS, the 2021-2022 Biennial Budget Ordinance, Ordinance 19210, Section 113, Proviso P5, states that $5,000,000 shall not be expended or encumbered until the executive transmits a reimagining transit safety and security scoping report, and a reimagining transit safety and security implementation report and a motion approving each report is passed by the council, and
WHEREAS, the Metro transit department, the Puget Sound region's largest public transportation agency, is committed to providing safe, equitable and sustainable mobility, and
WHEREAS, the Metro transit department is committed to becoming an antiracist mobility agency, a goal the council strongly endorses, and
WHEREAS, the proviso requirement that the Metro transit department undertake a transit safety, security and fare enforcement reform initiative was made in 2020, during the early months of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, when safety and security reforms were presumed to be based upon a system operating at full capacity, and
WHEREAS, safety and security conditions have changed and ridership has declined by more than fifty percent, and
WHEREAS, the needs of the transit system will continue to change, and
WHEREAS, in response to the proviso requirement, the Metro transit department prepared the safety, security and fare enforcement reform initiative implementation report, which summarizes the internal and external stakeholder engagement process, highlights safety and security pilot measures that have recently been implemented and identifies potential initial concepts that could be implemented in the future following additional engagement and, where necessary, budget and policy authorization, and
WHEREAS, the King County executive has transmitted to the council the safety, security and fare enforcement reform initiative implementation report to fulfill the proviso's reporting obligations, and
WHEREAS, council approval of the safety, security and fare enforcement reform initiative implementation report indicates the concurrence of the council that the Metro transit department has fulfilled the requirements of the proviso but does not endorse or commit to adopt any specific recommendations in the report and does not provide authorization for changes to transit policy, including changes to K.C.C. 28.96.010, which is known as the transit code of conduct, and
WHEREAS, the council commits to collaborate with the Metro transit department on a holistic, cocreative approach to transit safety and security to work toward a system that is safe, accessible and equitable and that supports the well-being and safety of transit riders, operators and community members;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The council approves the safety, security and fare enforcement reform initiative implementation report proviso response, Attachment A to this motion.