First regionwide in-person gathering in Seattle since before pandemic welcomes equitable and sustainable city advocate Gil Penalosa
SEATTLE-- The Puget Sound Regional Council's (PSRC) General Assembly has unanimously elected City of Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson as President and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers Vice President of the regional planning agency.
City of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell attended to welcome the local elected leaders to Seattle and to thank all for efforts to cooperate regionally on transportation, planning, housing and climate change.
Outgoing PSRC President and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci marked the end of her term as PSRC president by highlighting PSRC achievements over the last year including, receiving a Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant from the US Department of Transportation to create a Regional Safety Plan, providing guidance on regional housing policy through leading-edge analysis of state legislative proposals and continuing development of a Regional Equity Strategy to work toward eliminating structural and institutional racism.
The gathered elected officials also listened to an inspiring multi-media presentation by equitable and sustainable city advocate Gil Penalosa. Mr. Penalosa is the founder and chair of the non-profit organization 8 80 Cities, as well as the first Ambassador of World Urban Parks. 8 80 Cities is guided by the simple but powerful idea that if everything we do in our cities is great for an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old, then it will be better for all people.
The General Assembly also adopted the agency's 2024-2025 budget and work program.
The PSRC General Assembly includes elected representatives from King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, and more than 100 cities and towns, state agencies, transit agencies, ports, and Tribal governments.
View PSRC’s 2023 Annual Report here.
What regional leaders are saying:
PSRC President and City of Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson
“Regional collaboration is more important than ever as PSRC works to create a Regional Safety Plan and digs into make meaningful progress to combat climate change through convening, fostering learning and cooperation across our counties, cities, and towns and providing critical technical assistance. I am deeply grateful to King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci for her intensely good approach to leadership over the last two years as President and look forward to carrying on her good work.”
PSRC Vice-President and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers
“PSRC has a critical year ahead helping lead the region on planning, sustainability, transportation, and growth,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “I’m honored to bring my insights to our regional efforts and look forward to providing leadership with my colleagues as we complete our comprehensive plans in 2024.”
About PSRC
The mission of Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is to advance solutions to achieve a thriving, racially equitable and sustainable central Puget Sound region through leadership, visionary planning and collaboration. PSRC is composed of nearly 100 members in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties, including the four county governments, cities and towns, ports, state and local transportation agencies and Tribal governments within the region. PSRC.org
Title VI Notice: PSRC fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, visit https://www.psrc.org/about-us/title-vi.
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