(The Center Square) – Final considerations for appointments to the Seattle Renters’ Commission board will take place on July 29, after two city council members were absent for a final vote on Wednesday.
Twenty-three people awaited committee approval across the Seattle Housing Authority Board, the Seattle Disability Commission, Community Roots Housing Public Development Authority Governing Council, and the Renters’ Commission. The last one raised eyebrows from Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, who was one of only two committee members, along with Mark Solomon, in attendance.
City Councilmembers Sara Nelson and Rob Saka were not in attendance.
The council members in chambers apologized to the appointees who were not officially confirmed because of the lack of a quorum.
Rinck expressed frustrations with Nelson and Saka’s absence from the dais, accusing them of doing it intentionally to prolong appointments to the Renters’ Commission.
“This is so disrespectful. It’s hard for me to read this as anything other than intentional suppression of representation,” Rinck said during Wednesday’s committee meeting. “Seattle is a majority renter city … and renters are much more likely to be displaced and experience homelessness.”
The Seattle Renters’ Commission, established in 2017, advises city leaders and departments on renter-related issues and monitors the enforcement and effectiveness of renter protection legislation. Rinck noted that the Renters’ Commission has not had appointments in about a year and a half.
Following the pushback, Nelson put out a statement and opened Thursday’s Governance, Accountability & Economic Development Committee meeting acknowledging the frustration from her excused absence.
“I am grateful for their willingness to serve our city, and delays in the appointment process serve no one well,” Nelson said.
A report from The Seattle Times mentioned that recently-resigned City Councilmember Cathy Moore sent an email to Solomon, Saka and Nelson the night before, urging them to delay the confirmation of the appointees. Moore expressed support for restructuring the commission to include both renters and landlords.
The appointments will now be included for final consideration as part of Tuesday’s city council meeting agenda, along with federal grant funds for housing and community development programs that were also delayed.
