The Sustainability, City Light & Arts and Culture Committee on Jan. 17 recommended confirmation of four appointments and reappointments and will forward the recommendations to the full City Council on Jan. 28.

The committee voted to recommend confirmation of Rosita Romero for reappointment to the Museum Development Authority governing council (appointment 03049). Chair Rink moved the recommendation and the committee’s roll call recorded three votes in favor, none opposed; the clerk said the recommendation will be sent to the Jan. 28 council meeting.

City Light presented three nominees for the City Light Review Panel and the committee recommended confirmation of each. Lee Bridal, interim chief of staff at Seattle City Light, described the review panel as a nine-member volunteer advisory body representing City Light customers and partners; panel duties include advising on the utility’s strategic plan, financial planning and rate proposals. The three nominees presented were Bruce Florie (economist, nominated for an at-large seat with a term to April 10, 2026), Ryan Monson (commercial customer representative, nominated for a term to April 12, 2027) and Toyin Olau (industrial customer representative, nominated for a term to Sept. 30, 2025). Ryan Monson introduced himself as a general manager at Sabey Data Centers and described operational and power-density considerations for data centers. Toyin Olau said he works for Nucor and highlighted that the Seattle facility uses about 99.6% recycled material and benefits from the region’s low-carbon electricity supply.

Councilmember Saka thanked nominees for their willingness to serve. Councilmember Strauss asked nominees about infrastructure needs and differences across locations; nominees discussed transmission and generation capacity and community impacts. The committee moved and seconded the recommendation to confirm appointments 03050–3052; the roll call recorded three votes in favor and the clerk said the recommendations will be sent to the Jan. 28 full council meeting.

Why it matters: The City Light Review Panel provides customer and community input on rate and strategic decisions that affect utility operations and finances. Reappointments and new members shape the advisory input City Light receives on service planning, financial proposals and strategic priorities.

Next steps: The committee’s confirmations are recommendations only; the full City Council will consider and act on each nomination at its Jan. 28 meeting.