nyuuzyou/wikis huggingface dataset:
Seattle, WA Demanding Our Rights with One Voice and Many Faces

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 8/4/03
Vote: Unanimous
Source File: Click here
Text:
Resolution Number: 30622
A Resolution affirming dignity and demanding our rights with one voice and many faces.
WHEREAS, we affirm the inherent dignity of all people, regardless of color, religion, or immigration status, and expect equality and justice for all; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle is comprised of approximately 17% immigrant and refugees who make vital contributions to our economy, our community, and our nation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has worked to ensure equal rights and services to all immigrants including the passage of the Matricular I.D. cards as accepted forms of identification; and
WHEREAS, immigrants are engaged in all sectors in our economy. They include Doctors, lawyers and other professionals in all walks of life. Immigrant workers include those who clean offices, care for children and the elderly, work in restaurant and hotel services. They labor in fields and factories. Nearly 50,000 members of America's armed forces are immigrants who defend our country; and
WHEREAS, our nation's immigration laws, at times, force many immigrants and their families - who work hard and pay taxes - to live in fear of being deported for simply going to work each day; and
WHEREAS, since September 11, 2001, hard-working immigrants have at times, faced increased discrimination at work and in their communities simply for what they believe or where they come from; and
WHEREAS, current immigration policies and practices often require families to wait lengthy periods-sometimes up to twenty years-to be reunited with their families or to obtain proper work and travel documentation; and
WHEREAS, despite broad public support for immigration reform that rewards work, the progress that immigrant organizations, labor unions, business groups, and religious leaders have made in building bipartisan political support for immigration reform has been stalled by the refocus of our elected officials on terrorism; and
WHEREAS, essential protections for workers include concerns for health and safety hazards on the job, wage and hour violations, and rights to organize and improve working conditions; and
WHEREAS, we need immigration laws that respect dignity, reflect the realities of America's 21st century workforce, reward work, prevent exploitation, and keep families together;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT
1. We call for immigration reform that allows all people appropriate paths to apply for legalization of immigration status and the opportunity to apply for citizenship;
2. We will continue to work together in coalitions with immigrant, labor, community, business, and religious groups to protect the rights of Seattle's immigrant families; and
3. We hereby endorse the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, leaving Seattle on September 23, 2003, and designed to draw attention to the importance of immigrant rights.
Category:City Governments
Category:Civil Rights
Category:Resolutions
Category:Seattle
Category:Washington
Seattle, WA Designating the Great Blue Heron as the Official Bird of the City

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 3/17/03
Vote: Unanimous (with 2 excused)
Source File: Click here
Text:
Resolution Number: 30586
A RESOLUTION designating the Great Blue Heron as the official bird of the City of Seattle.
WHEREAS, Seattle citizens have voted at city parks, in school classrooms, and through other methods for a bird to be designated as Seattle's official bird; and
WHEREAS, votes for the Great Blue Heron outnumbered the second place finisher, the ubiquitous American Crow, two to one, the Northern Flicker, Seattle's most plentiful woodpecker, finished the race in third place, and honorable mentions include the "Seattle Wren," a sub species of the Bewick's wren; the Osprey, a bird of prey also known as a Seahawk; and the Wilson's Warbler, a migratory songbird that benefits from shade-grown coffee; and
WHEREAS, the familiar Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in North America having a slate-gray body, chestnut and black accents, and very long legs and neck; and
WHEREAS, the unique geology and ecology of Seattle, including large amounts of open water and wetlands, urban forest habitat, fish and amphibians provide good conditions for the Great Blue Heron to reside all over Seattle; and
WHEREAS, nesting colonies are typically found in mature forests, and do best when they are free of human disturbance and have foraging areas close by; and
WHEREAS, the large and majestic Great Blue Heron has charmed Seattleites of all ages because it is easy to see, identify and enjoy; and
WHEREAS, the City Council and the Mayor recognize that the Great Blue Heron is a common permanent resident in many Seattle parks and greenbelts; and
WHEREAS, the official bird designation offers heron habitat no additional regulatory protection, and
WHEREAS, the official bird designation of the Great Blue Heron will raise public awareness of the unique behavior and habitat requirements of this species, and foster public stewardship for its continued existence; and
WHEREAS, at the request of the Seattle Audubon Society and Seattle citizens,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
The Great Blue Heron is hereby designated as the official bird of the City of Seattle. 
Category:Animals
Category:City Governments
Category:Resolutions
Category:Seattle
Category:Washington
Seattle, WA Green Building Task Force

Type: Policy
Status: Launched in June 2008
Source File: http://www.seattle.gov/environment/GBtaskforce.htm
Description:
Three years ago, Mayor Nickels pledged that Seattle would reduce community greenhouse gas emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, and in the long term, reduce emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. We are well on our way towards meeting our ambitious short-term target, but we still need to make substantial investments in climate protection to meet all our goals.
There is tremendous opportunity for greenhouse gas emission reductions by increasing energy efficiency in public and private, residential and commercial buildings. Recognizing this opportunity, Mayor Nickels has established the goal of making Seattle America’s Green Building Capital. As part of his 2008 State of the City address, the Mayor identified an initial target of achieving an increase of 20% in the energy efficiency of Seattle’s new and existing buildings.
This Green Building Task Force has been convened to provide guidance on appropriate policy mechanisms that the City can employ to achieve these goals. 50 stakeholders with a range of perspectives on environmental and policy issues have been invited to sit on the Green Building Task Force and will meet monthly from June 2008 through January 2009. The membership includes representatives of real estate professionals, building operators, green building experts, low-income housing providers and advocates, historic preservation advocates, energy suppliers, financial institutions and other interested parties.
To facilitate increased participation and make best use of considerable member expertise, the Task Force will be broken out into two committees of approximately 25 members: a new buildings committee and an existing buildings committee.
* Full Task Force member list
* Task Force Background & Resources
* Task Force Charter (revised, 8/26/08)
* Task Force Workplan/Schedule (revised, 8/28/08)
* Key Themes from initial interviews with Task Force Members
* Press Release, 7/23/08
Category:Building Standards
Category:City Governments
Category:Policies
Category:Seattle
Category:Washington
Seattle, WA Green Up!

Type: Program
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.seattle.gov/light/Green/greenPower/greenup.asp
Description:
Join thousands of residential and business customers and "Green Up" your electricity! 
What is Green Up?
Green Up is Seattle City Light's voluntary green power program for residential and business customers. By enrolling in Green Up, customers purchase green power for a portion of their electricity use and demonstrate their support for wind power and other new renewable energy projects in the Northwest. Choosing green power reduces our reliance on fossil fuels, improves air quality and helps reduce the growth of climate-warming emissions. The Green Up program is Green-e certified and fulfills LEEDTM Project green power requirements.
How does Green Up work?
Green Up customers make voluntary payments on their electricity bill to cover the slightly higher cost of producing and integrating renewable energy into the Northwest grid. These funds are used to acquire Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) equal to the amount of customer demand. Participating in Green Up does not change how Seattle City Light transmits and distributes electricity to your home or business.
How do I sign up?
Residential customers may purchase green power in increments of 25%, 50% or 100% of their electricity use for $3, $6 or $12 per month. 
Business customers may participate at any level and earn Silver, Gold or Platinum Partner recognition based on their annual electricity (kilowatt-hour) use. Or, purchase green power for LEEDTM credits.
Green Up! SEATTLE
Special limited-time offer for residential customers: Join Green Up now with a one-year commitment to purchase new, renewable, green energy and receive an organic, Fair Trade certified THEO Chocolate bar and a two-for-one admission coupon for the THEO Chocolate factory tour located in the Fremont neighborhood in Seattle. Existing Green Up customers can increase their contributions and also receive this gift. This special offer is good through July 31, 2008 or while supplies last.
THEO Chocolate is a Seattle-based company specializing in bean-to-bar production of organic chocolate. Their factory tour includes free chocolate samples and information about the sources of cacao and the Fair Trade industry that supports fair prices, community development and environmental stewardship. THEO Chocolate is a Platinum Level Green Up Business Partner.
Category:City Governments
Category:Renewable Energy
Category:Resolutions
Category:Seattle
Category:Washington
Seattle, WA In Support of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 5/4/98
Vote: Unanimous
Source File: Click here
Text:
Resolution Number: 29746
A RESOLUTION in Support of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
WHEREAS, the invention of nuclear weapons has made possible the destruction of all humankind, and nearly all life; and
WHEREAS, the more than 2000 nuclear explosions since 1945 have poisoned our air, water, and soil, and indeed even our bodies; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. has spent more than $4 trillion for nuclear weapons, and continues to spend almost $35 billion annually, contributing to budget deficits while vital societal needs go unmet; and
WHEREAS, the end of nuclear testing will be a major step toward the abolition of all nuclear weapons; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which bans all nuclear test explosions, has been signed by President Clinton, and is before the Senate; and
WHEREAS, this treaty is supported by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, four of the five most recent Chairmen and the vast majority of the American people;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
The Seattle City Council supports prompt ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by the United States Senate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the Seattle City Council invites the people of Seattle to call on our government and all nuclear weapons states to take such steps as will lead to the abolition of nuclear weapons at the earliest possible date. 
Category:City Governments
Category:Nuclear Free
Category:Resolutions
Category:Seattle
Category:Washington
Seattle, WA In Support the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007

Type: Resolution
Status: Adopted on 10/1/07
Vote: Unanimous (with 1 excused)
Source File: Click here
Text:
Resolution Number: 31017
A RESOLUTION urging Congress to enact the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007, H.R. 800 or S. 1041.
WHEREAS, The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) was enacted in 1935 by Congress and signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help equalize the power between employers and workers by legally protecting the right of private sector workers to organize and form unions, engage in collective bargaining and take certain actions to promote and protect their rights; and
WHEREAS, The freedom to form or join a union is internationally recognized by the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a fundamental human right; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2000 Human Rights Watch Report, worker rights to form and join unions are increasingly eroded in the United States by the failure of federal labor laws to provide adequate, timely, and just remedies for violations; and
WHEREAS, Unions help raise workers' pay and narrow the income gap for minorities and women, by increasing median weekly earnings by thirty- one percent for unionized women workers, thirty-six percent for African-American workers, forty-six percent for Latino workers, and eight percent for Asian-American workers; and
WHEREAS, H.R 800 and S 1041 will amend the NLRA and strengthen worker's rights by: 1) streamlining union certification by requiring union certification when a majority of employees provide authorizing signatures eliminating the time and cost of an election; 2) facilitating initial collective bargaining agreements by requiring mediation and then arbitration if an employer and union are unable to bargain their first contract within 90 days; 3) strengthening enforcement by providing stronger penalties for employer violations during a union organizing drive or first contract negotiation; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 800 was introduced by Representative Miller with 233 co-sponsors and S. 1041 was introduced by Senator Kennedy with 46 co- sponsors; and
WHEREAS, the M L King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO and King County Council support the Employee Free Choice Act;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING:
Section 1: The Seattle City Council and the Mayor of Seattle respectfully urge the United States Congress to enact the Employee Free Choice Act, H.R. 800 or S. 1041.
Category:City Governments
Category:Labor Issues
Category:Resolutions
Category:Seattle
Category:Washington
Seattle, WA Kicking the Bottled Water Habit

Type: Policy
Status: Announced on 3/13/08
Source File: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/letters/let080313.htm
Text:
Dear Friends,
Seattle enjoys some of the world’s best public water, born in the pristine watersheds of the Cascade Mountains. It meets or beats the quality of expensive bottled water.
Yet each year, Americans consume about 31.2 billion liters of bottled water, requiring nearly 900,000 tons of plastic made more than 17 million barrels of oil. That adds up to more than 2.5 million tons of greenhouse gases.
As a city, we have an opportunity to lead by example and make a difference for the future of our planet. That is why I'm asking all of you to consider kicking the bottled water habit and switching to our city’s own water supply.
As part of that effort, this afternoon I will be announcing an executive order that will phase out the purchase of bottled water for city-owned facilities and city-sponsored events by the end of the year.
This order will not affect private purchases of water by city employees. But I do encourage everyone to make the switch to tap water. Through the remainder of the year, we will work with all city facilities to ensure that any local necessary water quality issues are addressed.
Exceptions to the bottled water policy may be made in cases when there are no reasonable alternatives to access safe drinking water, when there are hydration requirements for employees working outside of city facilities, or other legal or contractual issues exist.
If you have any questions about water quality issues in your facility, please contact SPU.
Thank you all for making a difference for our environment. And enjoy the water!
Sincerely,
GREG NICKELS
Mayor of Seattle
Category:City Governments
Category:Drinking Water
Category:Policies
Category:Seattle
Category:Washington
Seattle, WA Recycled Content Product Procurement

Type: Municipal Code
Status: Adopted via ordinance
Source File: http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/environment/documents/SMC_20.60.200_recycled.doc
Text:
Subtitle III Contracting
Chapter 20.60 - Purchasing and Procurement
Subchapter III Recycled Content Product Procurement Program 
SMC 20.60.204 Policies.
A. All departments shall use, where practicable, reusable products, recycled content products and recyclable products. The term "practicable" shall mean that the product performs adequately for its intended use and is available at a fair and reasonable price. 
B. The City shall require, whenever practicable, its vendors, contractors and consultants to use recycled content paper on all documents submitted to the City. In addition, the City shall require, whenever practicable, its vendors, contractors, and consultants to use reusable products, recycled-content products and recyclable products. Failure of a vendor, contractor, or consultant to specify how it will comply this requirement may cause the City to determine that a bid is non-responsive. 
C. The City shall maintain minimum content standards for the purchase of designated products, as consistent with USEPA and Washington State products and standards. 
D. The Director may use recycled material content as a factor in determining the lowest and best bid in its procurement of goods and materials. 
E. The Director shall promote the use of recycled content products and recyclable products to potential vendors to the City by publicizing that the City emphasizes the use of environmentally preferable products by its contractors. 
F. The Director, through the procedures set forth in SMC Chapter 3.02, is authorized to establish guidelines or rules to further the intent of this section and ordinance. 
G. This section shall apply equally to the Director and any department when it acts to acquire any aspects of public works for the City. 
H. These policies are intended to be compatible with the strategies and standards of the City's environmental management and sustainable purchasing programs. 
I. Existing procurement policies and specifications shall be revised to include recycled content products or recyclable products unless the products do not meet an established performance standard of a department. In such situations, a department must provide the Director with satisfactory evidence that, for technical reasons, and for a particular end use, a product containing such materials will not meet reasonable performance standards.
(Ord. 121720 Sections 1, 4, 2005; Ord. 120794 Section 10(part), 2002: Ord. 120181 Section 46, 2000; Ord. 118397 Section 36, 1996: Ord. 116726 Section 1, 1993: Ord. 116270 Section 4(part), 1992.) 
Category:Buy Green Policy
Category:City Governments
Category:Code
Category:Seattle
Category:Washington
Seattle, WA reLeaf Program

Type: Program
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.seattle.gov/trees/
Description:
Taking care of our trees is good for our environment, our neighborhoods, and ourselves. Trees clean our air and water, reduce global warming pollution, provide habitat for wildlife, raise property values and offer green relief throughout our city. Seattle has lost more than half its tree canopy since the 1970’s. We can all help to “Keep the Emerald City Green.”
The City has increased its investments in tree care and planting, is looking at ways to improve regulations, and is spreading the word about the importance of trees and how to care for them.
Urban Forest Management Plan
Seattle’s Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) (5 MB*) is our first ever comprehensive plan for the urban forest. Our vision is to create a thriving and sustainable mix of tree species and ages that creates a contiguous and healthy ecosystem that is valued and cared for by the City and all of its citizens as an essential environmental, economic, and community asset. The UFMP is a 30-year plan which establishes a goal of 30% tree canopy cover and is intended to guide a broad range of short-, mid- and long-term actions that will achieve the vision and this goal. Short-term actions to be implemented within the next 5 years include:
* Improve maintenance of City-managed trees
* Increase tree planting
* Improve the City's internal communication and management structure regarding tree issues
* Increase community engagement in tree policy and planning
* Strengthen incentives and regulations for tree preservation and planting on private property
* Increase community outreach about the value of trees and proper tree selection, planting and care
Category:City Governments
Category:Programs
Category:Seattle
Category:Trees and Forests
Category:Washington
Seattle School District, WA Anti-Idling Policy

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted on 12/04/07
Source File: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/conservation/Documents/News/120407_AntiIdling.pdf
Description: 
The Seattle Public Schools Maintenance Department is working towards protecting public health and conserving resources by committing to reduce vehicle idling. In addition to maintenance vehicles, idling is no longer permitted in the parking lots at the Stanford Center.
Vehicle exhaust is the leading source of hazardous air pollution in Washington. According to the American Lung Association, toxic air pollutants account for an additional 700 cases of cancer for every 1 million Washingtonians. That’s nearly 375 people in Seattle alone! Idling is also bad for our kids. Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children and the cause of most school absences. Their symptoms increase as a result of vehicle exhaust.
Contrary to popular belief, idling is not an effective way to warm up a vehicle. Excessive idling is actually hard on your engine because it isn’t working at peak operating temperature and fuel does not undergo complete combustion. Driving warms up vehicles more efficiently. Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components like the battery and starter motor. Small costs in component maintenance will likely be recovered several times over in fuel savings.
If you will be stopped for more than 10 seconds, remember to turn your engine off!
Category:Gas-Powered Transportation
Category:Policies
Category:School Districts
Category:Washington