[NFBWATlk] FW: RSVP to my town hall January 28 // Sign up to meet with me during office hours

Fri Jan 16 19:49:11 UTC 2026

Passing on for your information 

From: Councilmember Dan Strauss <dan.strauss at seattle.gov> 
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2026 10:19 AM
To: jacobstruiksma at gmail.com
Subject: RSVP to my town hall January 28 // Sign up to meet with me during office hours

Trouble seeing the message?  <https://mailchi.mp/seattle/strauss-newsletter-update2025-8485812?e=062471dd79> View this email in your browser.

  <https://mcusercontent.com/11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad/images/9d39b2dd-71c9-59b5-2365-89b633981def.jpg> 

Dear Neighbor,

The New Year has brought changes to City Hall. We welcomed Katie Wilson as our new mayor, Erika Evans as our new city attorney, and two new Council colleagues, Councilmembers Eddie Lin and Dionne Foster. 

We also unanimously elected a new Council President. I was honored to serve as Council President Pro Tem and, not just nominate, but hand the Council President's gavel off to Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth. 

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Council President has become a close personal friend and trusted colleague over the past two years we have served with each other. She has a proven track record leading the Council through complicated, contentious issues like the Comprehensive Plan. I know she will be a fantastic Council President, and I thank her for her willingness to serve.  

We have a lot of important information in this newsletter: 

*	Join me for a town hall on January 28 in Greenwood
*	Supporting Seattle's immigrant and refugee communities
*	Sign up to meet with me one-on-one during office hours
*	Encampment removal near Burke Gilman Trail postponed
*	Residents facing recycling issues

Thank you,

-- Dan 

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Join me for a town hall on January 28

 <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=54d4635c41&e=062471dd79> 

I will be hosting my first town hall of 2026 on Wednesday, January 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Greenwood Branch - Seattle Public Library. Space is limited, so please RSVP below to let us know you're coming. 

This is your chance to ask me questions and for us to have a conversation about the issues our city faces. I look forward to seeing you! 

 <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=ea00cb3587&e=062471dd79> RSVP for District 6 Town Hall 

Supporting Seattle's Immigrants and Refugee Communities

My heart is with Renee Good's loved ones and with immigrant and refugee communities in Seattle, Minneapolis, and across the country who are living in fear because of the Trump administration's actions.

Since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents killed Renee Good in Minneapolis a week ago, the federal government's actions have sewn more chaos. They blocked local investigators from accessing the scene, declined to conduct a standard civil rights investigation into the incident, and are now investigating Renee Good's widow, which has caused a mass resignation of federal prosecutors.

Plain and simple, these actions do not make our community safer. These actions aren't just inhumane and unjust, they're frankly un-American.

What the City of Seattle is doing

I stand with our immigrant and refugee communities and have been working hard ensure the city is doing all it can to support them.

Last year, I voted in favor of a resolution that reaffirmed Seattle as a welcoming city and gives direction to departments on responding to immigration enforcement. Then, I led the Council's budget process, which resulted in $10.8 million for immigrant and refugee communities, including legal support, Know Your Rights training, and workforce development. 

Meanwhile, the Washington State Legislature is considering  <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=3027472382&e=062471dd79> Senate Bill 5855 which would ban local, state, and federal agents from wearing masks while interacting with the public, with certain exceptions. 

I will continue to work with my colleagues, community members, and our immigrant and refugee communities to find impactful ways to ensure they are and feel welcome, safe, and protected in our city.  

Resources available right now

For right now, here are some immediate resources available through  <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=ffd28d990e&e=062471dd79> Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs:  

*	 <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=50dee362a7&e=062471dd79> Seattle's Immigrant Rapid Response Program
*	 <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=d5256026c0&e=062471dd79> Free Immigrant Legal Assistance
*	 <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=8ab8293095&e=062471dd79> Know Your Rights Resources for Immigrants, Refugees, and Advocates
*	 <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=ac8bccd332&e=062471dd79> Know Your Rights Resources for Business Owners and Employers
*	 <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=4ad4da295a&e=062471dd79> And much more

Let's meet! Sign up to talk with me during Office Hours

To kick of 2026, my office just updated the process to  <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=343e36097e&e=062471dd79> sign up to talk with me during office hours.

I host office hours nearly every week to talk with District 6 residents to talk about issues they are facing. It's one of the most important parts of my job, and those conversations often lead to real change in our neighborhoods. 

I meet with residents at my D6 District Office at the Ballard Service Center, which is in the same building as the Ballard Library. There's free parking in the garage and this location is accessible by bus route 40 and 44. I host office hours before and after 5 p.m. If these times don’t work for your schedule, just let us know and we will find another time to meet.  

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Last year, I was able to get a new fence for the Greg's Garden P-Patch in Ballard - that happened because gardeners told me about the need for it during office hours. 

If you're facing a problem, you don’t have to wait for office hours to get the help you need. Just email my  <mailto:joel.raphael at seattle.gov> D6 District Director Joel Raphael — he's there to help you no matter what the issue. While we can’t solve everything, we can always help no matter what you face: you are not alone and we are here to help.  

I look forward to meeting with you!

 <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=8ea16f55da&e=062471dd79> Sign up for D6 Office Hours 

Encampment removal near Burke Gilman Trail postponed

An encampment located near NW 41st Street and the Burke-Gilman Trail in Frelard was scheduled for removal by the City of Seattle Wednesday morning. That work has been postponed by Mayor Katie Wilson.

Mayor Wilson released a statement explaining her decision today, saying she "decided to extend the deadline for this site to allow more time to assess whether we can improve outcomes for the people living there, for their neighbors, and for local businesses."

Ultimately, the City of Seattle's response to encampments should not be to shuffle people around and push the issue down the road. We need to improve our approach to get people into shelter and permanent housing.

At the same time, inaction is not an option. We cannot do nothing as encampments grow and sometimes stop people from accessing sidewalks, trails, parks, and public spaces. 

I have been in contact with Mayor Wilson and her team. It is my hope that they will make improvements to the Unified Care Team (UCT) program, which leads the city's work to connect people experiencing homelessness with resource and resolve encampments. However, we cannot stop responding to these issues and lose the momentum that our city has built in addressing them.  

Are you facing issues with garbage pickup?

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We have received reports from a number of residents dealing with missed recycling pickups or being charged fees without merit. I am continuing to work with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and those residents to address these issues.  

If you are having issues with Waste Management (WM) at your home or business, please  <mailto:Dan.Strauss at seattle.gov> email me and  <mailto:Joel.Raphael at seattle.gov> my D6 District Director Joel Raphael if this is happening.

What I have heard from residents and businesses: 

*	Residents and businesses have not received recycle or compost pickup 

*	Residents and businesses have been charged because AI cameras have incorrectly identified recycle in the garbage or vice versa 

*	Residents and businesses have been charged return fees because WM states they cannot access the bins, which may be out of the control of the resident or business.  

If this has happened to you or someone you know – my office needs to know immediately. You should not be charged a fee for AI getting it wrong, or something out of your control blocking your bin from Waste Management. 

Resources at the Ballard Service Center

My D6 District Office is at the Ballard Service Center. In addition to visiting my D6 District Office, you can also do the following:

*	Apply for a Passport 
*	Make an in-person payment for Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, Parking Tickets and Moving Violations, and Pet Licenses 
*	Get Applications and Forms for Business License Tax Certificates, Voter Registration, Collision Reports, Property Tax Exemptions, U.S. Passports, and Pet Licenses
*	Get Information on  <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=32e711e94c&e=062471dd79> various City programs
*	Get Help Meeting FAST Act Requirements
*	Grab a free Scooter or Bike Helmet for use with our partner e-Scooter and e-Bike programs
*	Pick Up a Litter-pick Kit or a Traffic-calming Yard Sign

Subscribe to My Newsletter

If this email was forwarded to you by a friend, I encourage you to sign up for my newsletter! I send out a regular newsletter about the happenings in our district, updates from City Hall, and progress reports on the work we are doing to make life better for all of us in Seattle.

To stay up to date,  <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=2c50aadf94&e=062471dd79> sign up for my District 6 newsletter!

Hearing From You

If you need assistance, please reach out to my office: 

*	For all issues - email me at:  <mailto:Dan.Strauss at seattle.gov> Dan.Strauss at seattle.gov
*	Scheduling or general inquiries - email Megan:  <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=6c8e6d735f&e=062471dd79> Megan.Bartol at seattle.gov
*	Policy related questions - email Jesse:  <mailto:Jesse.Franz at seattle.gov> Jesse.Franz at seattle.gov or Anthony:  <mailto:Anthony.Rodriguez at seattle.gov> Anthony.Rodriguez at seattle.gov    
*	District issues or getting you the help you need - email Joel:  <https://seattle.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=11a79978ca7225050bfabf7ad&id=8013bec8ae&e=062471dd79> Joel.Raphael at seattle.gov   

Our mailing address is:

Seattle City Council

600 4th Ave

Seattle, WA 98104-1850

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