Seattle council balks at McGinn's call for sea-wall vote

The Seattle City Council won't consider Mayor Mike McGinn's proposal to ask voters in May to approve a $243 million bond measure for a new sea wall, council leaders said Tuesday.

"I think we can safely say that it will not be on the May ballot," said council President Richard Conlin.

McGinn submitted the legislation Tuesday, even though council members weeks ago said they were concerned he was rushing the project and didn't have an overall waterfront plan. McGinn needs the council's approval to put the measure on the ballot.

McGinn announced in January that the city's top construction priority should be replacing the crumbling Alaskan Way sea wall. He proposed a property-tax increase to pay for it — about $50 a year for a $400,000 home.

City Council members say McGinn should have included them in planning his proposal — the first of his administration.

Many on the council think the sea-wall replacement should be linked to plans to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel.

Every council member except Mike O'Brien signed a letter saying the mayor should provide a bigger picture of funding priorities for the next several years, including other funding options for the sea wall and other ballot measures voters may be asked to consider.

They also have expressed concern that a May special election would be too expensive and that it would be wise to wait until a regular election in the summer or fall.

In an interview two weeks ago, Conlin said he encouraged the mayor not to send his legislation to the council until there was time for more discussion.

McGinn's proposal Tuesday still called for a May vote. An accompanying letter explained that McGinn thinks a bond measure is the best way to finance a long-term project such as the sea wall.

"I think he's made his position clear that he wants to try to move forward on this at a faster pace," Conlin said Tuesday. "If he's listening, he hasn't responded yet."

To put the measure on a May 18 ballot, the council would have to vote for McGinn's proposal by April 2.

The mayor wants to ask voters to approve a 30-year bond issue, paid off with a tax increase of $0.125 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

McGinn said he knows the council might change his proposal.

"The council has the authority. Of course we'll be happy to work with them ... on timing and financing, but we're sending our preferred alternative," he said.

But Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Rasmussen said he doesn't think the council will vote on the mayor's legislation.

"We will hold it and have the dialogue and the discussion with the mayor about how we're going to move forward," he said. "In this case, we don't have to take a vote on it. We keep this here at the council, and we will continue our planning for the replacement of the sea wall."

City plans now call for replacement of the sea wall by 2015, and the City Council has planned a meeting about financing for the end of March, Rasmussen said.

McGinn wants to replace the sea wall a year earlier. The city's sea wall was not designed to withstand an earthquake and has been worn away over the years by erosion and sea life.

McGinn said it's a "critical public-safety issue." Council members argue it has been shored up and is safe for five more years.

"We all know it needs to be replaced," Councilmember Sally Bagshaw said. "What we don't know is, what's the hurry?" She added, "If it's truly an emergency, we shouldn't ask the voters. We should just do it."

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com