Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced a first of its kind partnership today among the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle and Sound Transit to invest $1.75 million to provide long-lasting construction careers for historically underserved communities, with room for upward growth. The investments aim to reduce existing racial disparities in construction and in the larger community through access to family wage jobs, training and support for workers.

“We know that the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionately impacted women and people of color. Despite the quick actions our City has taken to support workers and residents during this unprecedented time, too many families have struggled to make ends meet. Where we direct our dollars matters and this historic partnership is just one step of many toward addressing the very real displacement and inequity issues that harm underserved communities,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “This latest investment, and the continued expansion of Seattle’s Priority Hire Program, will help ensure that women and people of color from every economic background are prioritized and can attain good, livable family-wage jobs, right here in Seattle.”  [Read more…]

When Philip Saunders joined the Army, he didn’t know what was ahead. But he at least knew how he’d begin his military career: as an enlisted cook.

Doing so was in homage to his great grandfather who, when Philip was just six years old, told him how he was drafted during World War I and—because he was Black—wasn’t allowed a weapon, was denied sleeping quarters, and was forced to work as a cook.

“Other soldiers had clean uniforms. But he had to march in formation in a smut-covered uniform because Black soldiers were forced to sleep in a coal car,” Saunders said. “He was such a big influence in my life that, when I joined the military, I wanted to be the one who walks in his footsteps and honors him.”

Saunders has strived to do that ever since. Both as an Officer in the Army, leading troops into combat, and now as the Deputy Division Director for the City’s Logistics and Emergency Management Division (LEM), which has waged its own battle against the COVID-19 virus by setting up the City’s mass test sites, securing all Personal Protective Equipment for the City’s 12,000-person workforce, and leading logistics on eventual mass vaccine sites. [Read more…]

Seattle, the nation and the world faced an unprecedented year in 2020, with a global public health crisis and a civil rights reckoning. During this time, the 600-plus employees in the City’s Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) worked behind-the-scenes to provide critical functions to keep the city operating, including managing 120 City facilities and providing $287 million in City services.

To ensure greater accountability and transparency to the public on the department’s work and spending, FAS is producing for the first time a new annual Year in Review. The review is meant to give you a glimpse of some of the behind-the-scenes work, problem-solving, intention and care that goes into our work daily here at FAS to deliver the critical services residents depend on and expect from us. (View the 2020 Year In Review here.) 

[Read more…]

To ensure the continued safety of employees and visitors in City facilities, the Department of Finance and Administrative Services has implemented a number of new safety protocols in City facilities.

The protocols were developed through close coordination across City departments and are based on the best and most up-to-date state, federal and international guidance and best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. [Read more…]

Teams in the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) were recognized this week for their excellence in leadership on Citywide projects, including helping to stand up the City’s four mass COVID-19 test sites and working to end racial disparities in the City’s employment and contracting.

The department was recognized by the Seattle Management Association (SMA) in its annual Excellence in Leadership Awards, which recognizes significant accomplishments and contributions of public employees. More than 70 nominations were submitted this year in six team awards categories. Of them, FAS teams received the top award in all but two categories and they and other teams were recognized during a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 5. [Read more…]

The following is an update on the animal cruelty investigation currently being conducted by the Seattle Animal Shelter. Media inquiries can be sent to Melissa Mixon at melissa.mixon@seattle.gov. If you suspect an animal is being harmed, please contact the Seattle Animal Shelter at 206-386-7387.

More than 220 animals are now in the care of the Seattle Animal Shelter following the successful execution of a search warrant by the shelter and Seattle Police Department on a property in West Seattle on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The animals, which were discovered in cages inside and outside a home on the property, are currently being treated at the shelter for severe neglect and malnourishment. Three of the animals are being transferred offsite for veterinary care reserved for exotic animals. [Read more…]

The following is a statement from the Department of Finance and Administrative Services spokesperson Melissa Mixon regarding an animal cruelty investigation. 

An individual is in custody on animal cruelty charges after a search warrant issued today by members of the Seattle Police Department and Seattle Animal Shelter found more than 200 live animals in a home in West Seattle. An unknown number of deceased animals were also discovered in a second home on the property. Investigators are still working to determine the exact amount. 

 

Seattle Animal Shelter Director Ann Graves described the scene in the homes as one of the most severe cases of animal neglect and cruelty she has seen in her 20-year career.  

 

The retrieved animals include dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas. The animals are being moved to the Seattle Animal Shelter for evaluation and care.  [Read more…]

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person responsible for cruelly killing a Canada Goose near a popular park in Seattle, Washington.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is investigating the incident, which is reported to have occurred the evening of Monday, Sept. 28, at Green Lake. Video and witness accounts show the unidentified man, pictured at right, attacking and killing the goose in front of onlookers before stuffing it in a backpack and walking away. [Read more…]

The City of Seattle was recently ranked 16^th in North America and was among the more than 50 commercial and government fleets that were recognized with a 2020 Green Fleet Award. The award, now in its 13 year, is given annually to agencies that have made strides reducing greenhouse gas emissions by adopting use of electric and hybrid vehicles and utilizing alternative fuels.

Seattle’s fleet is overseen by the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS), a 600-person department with one of the most diverse portfolios in the City that spans 15 divisions, including the City’s Fleet Management Division.

“As demonstrated by recent wildfires, climate change is a real and urgent issue. And it’s incumbent upon us all to treat it as such and take meaningful action. One way we as a City and a department can do that is by making every effort possible to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in our fleet,” said FAS Director Calvin W. Goings. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done and that we will continue to do to meet this moment and this crisis.” [Read more…]

The Seattle Animal Shelter takes in thousands of stray and owner-surrendered animals each year. Many of these animals are in need of a new start, lots of love and often significant veterinary assistance.

To help raise funds for the shelter, which is a division in the Finance and Administrative Services Department, volunteers started an event in 1999 known as the Furry 5K. For the past 20 years, the Furry 5K has become an annual fundraiser by the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation that provides homeless pets access to much needed care.

Across Seattle on Saturday, Aug. 16, you’ll see supporters with their Furry 5k t-shirt going for a run or walk to provide happily-ever-afters for pets in need. Instead of all running together on a course as in years past, the Furry 5k will be “virtual” and participants can run or walk on their own on their favorite 3.1-mile loop [Read more…]