Let's talk a little bit about Greg Spotts.
You know, when we look at transportation or transportation systems,
this is critically important in our 84 square miles of the city
and even beyond that. We know we need a system that is not only reliable
and versatile, but clearly we must lead with safety and equity.
The director of SDOT is critical in this task.
Everyone looks at this particular position every DN ... every mayor, sir,
wants to put his or her DNA on this position, so to speak.
And following a comprehensive national search,
we hit the jackpot.
in Greg Spotts.
I think he's just the best of the best.
He's a leader committed to public service and equitably serving
the transportation needs of of all communities and all people.
That becomes particularly significant.
I also want to thank Adiam Emery for her consistent
I don't want to say nagging voice, but that's
the only voice is her her consistent voice.
I say, Mayor, we have to get this right.
We have to get this right.
And we will search high and low to get it right.
A little bit about Greg's and we got it right.
Adiam, thanks for your leadership.
A little bit about his history
for those who just don't know,
Greg, as recently served as the Executive Officer and chief sustainability officer
at the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services,
where Greg shaped policy supporting
active transportation solutions, climate change adaptation and vehicle
emissions reductions, and the adoption of a sustainable construction practice.
In other words, looking at systemically how we put that
in terms of what we build.
He led three constituent facing divisions, providing pothole
repair, tree trimming and monitoring the public's use of streets and sidewalks.
And that's why repeatedly talk about let's get the basics right first.
Right. I needed that kind of leader.
Not that they weren't getting it right, but can I have someone double down on that
kind of emphasis?
A few things about his.
And I also want to mention that in Los Angeles,
he made investments in particularly in underserved communities,
including mobility improvements, tree planting and solar reflective
pavement, coatings to reduce urban heat.
These experiences that he built,
these commitments will serve us all well here in Seattle.
So what are some of stronger attributes?
So I ask around and I asked this during the search process.
He's a forward thinker, an environmentally conscious leader,
a strong collabor ... collaborator.
He's focused on equity, safety and sustainability.
He intends to use data and evidence
to to respond to our biggest challenges.
And quite honestly, he's pretty mean when it comes to social media
as well as he's a he's out there and we like that.
He understands, appreciates
our priorities, like Vision Zero, the maintenance of our aging
transportation infrastructure system and crafting the next generation of
our revenue package that we're real proud that has passed.
And for voters consideration coming up, everything we've done and will have to do.
He recognizes how we have to lead with community input and have community
and voices enhance our our system by improving what we invest in.
And quite honestly, just after a short time
of being on the job, he's made an incredible impact.
We talked a little bit, communicate a little bit over the weekend about a
a death we had by cyclists under West Seattle.
And I watched him on YouTube and
all I can say is you get it.
You get you get what safety is about.
You get what
when when when
people say someone's car centric or someone's transit centric or someone's
bike centric, you get the idea that we got
to calm everyone down and have rational discussions.
You can't you can't fake that stuff.
You either have it or you don't.
So having said that, Greg, thank you for coming
to from Los Angeles,
California to beautiful Seattle.
What was the term
your AP said? Seattle shines.
That's what he said.
Seattle shines.
I'm going to steal that.
And he said to shine Seattle.
And in as we go through the formality piece, the oath of office
will be administered by our interim city clerk, Elizabeth Adkisson,
and the ceremonial pen will be fixed by Cameron Keyes.
And we'll ask after that for Greg just to share a few, few brief words.
So come forward. Let's get the pinning going.
Okay, please step forward.
Raise your right hand and repeat after me.
- I Greg Spotts - I Greg Spotts
Swear or affirm
swear
That I possess all of the qualifications
- that I possess, all of the qualifications - prescribed in the Seattle City Charter
- and the Seattle Municipal Code
- for the position of
for the position
the Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation,
the director of the Seattle Department of Transportation
that I will support
- that I will support - the Constitution of the United States.
The Constitution of the United States,
the Constitution of the State of Washington,
the Constitution of the State of Washington
- and the charter and ordinances - and the charter and ordinances
- of the City of Seattle - of the City of Seattle.
- And that I will faithfully conduct myself - And that I will faithfully conduct myself
as the director of the Seattle Department of Transportation.
As the director of the Seattle Department of Transportation.
Congratulations.
(applause)
- Thank you. - Thank you.
- Thank you so much. - Congratulations
(applause)
That's Cameron Keyes, who was in my college dorm at Yale.
And how many years have you been with the city Cameron?
- 25 - 25 years with the city of Seattle.
Thank you, Mayor Harrell, for calling me into service for Seattleites.
Thank you, Executive General Manager Adiam Emery for being such a great partner.
And thank you to my college friend Cameron Keyes
for penning me just now.
I moved from Los Angeles to Seattle
29 days ago, and as promised, I hit the ground running and walking
and scooting and biking and riding metro and riding sound transit.
As part of my listening tour, I've been exploring Seattle's
neighborhoods, parks and shorelines, meeting residents, small business owners,
school administrators and parents and organizations of all sizes
from the Cascade Bike Club to the Port of Seattle, from Disability Rights Washington
to the Lake City Collective, and the Multicultural Community Coalition.
I've been touring street construction projects
and I visited the inner workings of multiple bridges.
I've heard the Mayor say
several times that he doesn't want to play small ball, he wants to play big ball
and I agree.
I didn't leave behind my entire support system in Los Angeles to play small ball.
As I progress in my first year as SDOT director,
I'll be working with our staff and stakeholders to bring forth big ball
ideas on safety, mobility,
equity, sustainability, placemaking, greening
and reducing the carbon emissions of our municipal fleet.
I promise to work collaboratively to listen to community members
and bring folks to the table who may not even be aware
there is a table.
I want to thank each and every Seattleite who's welcomed me to town
and shared your aspirations and opinions about transportation.
I'm thrilled to see so much engagement and passion
about our mobility and streetscape and to that server in Ravenna.
You're right, the 62 is, in fact, the best bus in the system.
Thank you very much.