Seattle Council president skips committee meeting in fight over Seattle Renters Commission UPDATE

Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson and committee member Rob Saka skipped a crucial Housing and Human Services Committee meeting, leaving 14 nominees for the Seattle Renters’ Commission without action. The unexpected absence resulted in committee members shifting to a community discussion format, leading to apologies for the lack of quorum. This incident followed 18 months of stalled nominations under former councilmember Cathy Moore, who refused to seat the commission despite ongoing housing challenges. Nelson, who is currently facing a reelection challenge, has not publicly explained her absence, which her opponent labeled as suspicious. Dione Foster characterized the maneuvering as disrespectful to constituents, highlighting the council's unusual failure to reach quorum.

Although the committee could not act on the nominees, it did review proposed regulations against predatory homebuyers in the city. Nelson later issued an apology and announced that the committee business, including the appointments, would be addressed in the next full council meeting. This situation underscores the ongoing struggles surrounding housing issues in Seattle and the political maneuvering affecting the Renters' Commission.