CURRENT ISSUES:
	Mentoring – the Effective Choice Seattle Needs to Make Citizen Engagement Initiative 2009-2010 City Budget Strategic Partnership

Citizen Engagement Initiative

I recently released an initiative calling for the development of a "Citizen Engagement Portal". As a Councilmember, an important part of our job is communicating with constituents by e-mail, telephone, meetings, and public hearings to understand the concerns of our citizens. However, even with this outreach, I have concluded that we have not prioritized a communication strategy or policy that captures and quantifies the preferences of the vast majority of citizens who do not historically participate in the public process. This tool can be incorporated into the City’s website and will solicit and quantify feedback from the public to help shape and enhance public policy and major initiatives. Eighty-three percent of Seattle residents use the Internet and have a computer at home. Seattle is one of the most wired cities in the United States. As follows, Seattle should continue to be at the forefront of how municipalities use technology to engage its citizens. Through this portal, the Council will be able to quantify citizen feedback on major City initiatives and citizens will have the option to receive legislative notices and information that may affect their neighborhood or interests.

2009-2010 City Budget

Information for the 2009-2010 budget is now on the Seattle City Council home page.  More information will be added when the 2009-2010 budget is presented Monday, September 29, 2008. 

Strategic Partnership

Council Bill #116348: Relating to the City Light Department and authorizing their execution of a contract for services with ACES Power Marketing (APM) to support the Utility’s Power Marketing Division and provides for supplemental funds in 2008 to allow for implementation prior to the 2009 mountain runoff. By establishing this proposed partnership with APM City Light intends to bring its power management team’s business systems and processes up to industry best practices while also enhancing existing risk management capabilities.

Bruce Harrell has spent 30 years as an attorney and community volunteer.   Known for his ability to create high performing teams and motivate others, Bruce began his public service in 1979 working for the Seattle City Council under Council President Paul Kraabel. 

Bruce attended K-12 in Seattle Public Schools, graduating from Garfield High. He played football for the University of Washington (1978 Rose Bowl Champion, 1979 Sun Bowl Champion, 1st Team Academic All American and All Pac-10) and was subsequently elected to the UW Alumni Board of Trustees and received the 2007 University of Washington Distinguished Alumni Award in Political Science. 

In 1984 Bruce graduated from UW’s law school and has served in a variety of leadership roles, representing kids and seniors, union members, non-profits, affordable housing companies and working as a senior attorney for technology and telecommunication companies. Bruce has consistently protected the rights of people; always advocating for fairness, respect and civility. Bruce served as chief legal advisor to the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, chief legal advisor to the First A.M.E. Church and First A.M.E. Housing Corporation, Chief Counsel to U S WEST and general counsel to ITM Source, Inc.

In 2007, Bruce was elected to the City Council emerging from a field of five candidates who ran for the open seat vacated by Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck. He will chair the Energy and Technology Committee, serve as Vice Chair of the Public Safety, Human Services and Education Committee and serve as a member of the Housing and Economic Development Committee. He also will serve on the following external committees: Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board, Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board and the Fire Facilities Oversight Committee.

Bruce is married to Joanne Harrell and they are raising their family in the Mt. Baker neighborhood. He enjoys the outdoors with his family, fishing, swimming and exercising.

Seattle City Hall
600 4th Ave. 2nd Floor
Seattle, WA

Mailing Address:
PO Box 34025
Seattle, WA 98124-4025

Phone: 206.684.8888
Fax: 206.684.8587
TTY/TDD: 206.233.0025
Listen Line: 206.684.8566