Tagcommunity engagement(277)

A November 2021 City of SeaTac/Highline Forum presentation reviewed the city's COVID-19 financial recovery, noting that while sales tax revenues rose 50% compared to 2020, they remained 27.4% below pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Parking tax revenues also continued to lag significantly, down 72% in 2020 and still down 42% in 2021, reflecting the ongoing impact of reduced airport activity on city finances.

The Port of Seattle's South King County Fund (SKCF), launched in 2019, provides grants to build equity-based partnerships in communities near Sea-Tac Airport. In 2020, the fund distributed $1.5 million across Environmental, Economic Recovery, and WMBE (Women and Minority Business Enterprise) programs, supporting 27 projects; funding increased to $2 million in 2021. The program aims to address environmental and economic impacts on South King County residents through targeted community investment.

This document is an invoice from ABCx2, LLC to Arlington County, Virginia, for $19,637.50 in consulting services rendered during July and August 2021 as part of the Arlington Phase II project. The work included community working group (CWG) meetings and presentations, FAA-related briefings, noise abatement procedure drafting, and flight track data analysis performed by a team of consultants billed at $250–$350 per hour. The invoice reflects cumulative project spending of $76,637.50 against a total project budget of $150,000, leaving a remaining balance of $73,362.50.

This document consists of an invoice and supporting monthly status report from ABCx2, LLC, a consulting firm, billing Arlington County $59,500 for consulting services performed between April and June 2021. The work, carried out by team members Jim, Jason, and Tim, focused on airplane noise analysis and community engagement efforts related to DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport), including TAA test data reviews, NOA (Notice of Arrival) presentation preparation, and community working group meetings. The invoice, dated July 12, 2021, was approved for payment on July 29, 2021 by Arlington County's Richard I. Roisman.

The StART (SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) meeting held on June 23, 2021 via Zoom covered key topics including a Seattle-King County Public Health study on the health impacts of aviation, an update on the SAMP public process, and reports from the Federal Policy Working Group and Aviation Noise Working Group. The meeting was chaired by Lance Lyttle, SEA Managing Director, and facilitated by Brian Scott, with presentations from public health researchers and Port of Seattle staff. A follow-up meeting was tentatively scheduled for August 25, 2021.

Mayor Jim Ferrell presented a City of Federal Way update to The Highline Forum on May 26, 2021, framing the post-COVID reopening as an opportunity rather than a challenge. The city highlighted its pandemic response efforts, including partnering with local organizations to keep food banks stocked and providing $500,000 in rental assistance to struggling families, with 80% of those funds directed to historically marginalized communities.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) announced in May 2021 that it would make an additional $27.7 million available through its COVID Bill Assistance Program to help residential customers struggling to pay energy bills due to the pandemic. Customers whose net monthly household income falls at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and have a past due balance may qualify for up to $2,500 per year in assistance. PSE also offered extended payment plans of up to 18 months and additional support through programs such as the Warm Home Fund and Weatherization Assistance Program.

The Port of Seattle Equity Index is an interactive online mapping tool that displays community indicators—such as race, livability, accessibility, and education—across King County, Washington. Developed by Community Attributes Inc. for the Port's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, it allows users to explore data by city, address, or custom-drawn area to better understand factors affecting equity and access to opportunity. The tool is intended to support decision-making, strategic planning, and community engagement, though it does not represent an exhaustive picture of all equity-related community characteristics.

This presentation explores how Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) can benefit local communities, featuring perspectives from aviation and planning experts including representatives from Teterboro Airport, CAMI, NBAA, and consulting firms HMMH. The panel, moderated by Gabriel Andino of Teterboro Airport, examines the potential community impacts of emerging air mobility technologies. Topics likely include noise, infrastructure, and equity considerations relevant to airport neighbors and policymakers.

The 2020 StART Annual Report documents the work of the SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table, a group that fosters cooperation between the Port of Seattle and communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The report covers 2020 meeting outcomes, accomplishments, and the activities of two working groups focused on aviation noise and federal policy, while also addressing how COVID-19 impacted operations. It concludes with recommendations for enhanced community engagement and priorities heading into 2021.