Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson vetoes new RV parking permit ordinance

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is vetoing new legislation concerning people living in RVs. Last month, City Council passed a package of five bills involving RVs, but now Mayor Wilson is vetoing an ordinance that would have established a new permit program for parking RVs. It would allow people to park in designated industrial zones overnight while waiting for permanent shelter or access to a safe lot. It established a two-hour limit on street parking for unpermanent RVs And allows the city to tow non-compliant or RVs. Mayor Wilson explained her veto in a video message. However, the program as proposed is poorly designed, creating a complicated new city bureaucracy that's unlikely to be effective. And I fear will have unintended consequences for RV residents who are homeless, but also for traveling workers like nurses, veterans seeking services at the VA, and for Seattle homeowners who also just happen to own an RV. Mayor Wilson is urging city council to choose another path and says she will sign an executive order tomorrow to strengthen outreach to people living in RVs, expedite the establishment of safe lots and create a work group with city departments to address problematic RVs. Councilmember Dan Strauss is criticizing the mayor's veto with a statement that reads in part quote, I am disappointed that Mayor Wilson has vetoed this legislation at the 11th hour. I'm disappointed that she broke her commitment to work together to implement this legislation and I'm disappointed by the lack of leadership from the executive end quote.