Bateman attends last council meeting before heading to the statehouse

After five years on the Olympia City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Bateman presided over her last council meeting Tuesday evening.

In November, Bateman won the general election to become a state representative from Washington’s 22nd district. She’ll take over the new position in January.

Tuesday’s meeting included a slideshow of community members, city employees and officials congratulating Bateman on the election win and sharing other kind words. Mayor Cheryl Selby read a proclamation honoring Bateman, and recognizing the different roles and work she engaged in for the city.

“Not to say that there weren’t some really tense times in our professional relationship, but we came through so much stronger. And I think what made that happen (is) because I respect the hell out of you, even when we don’t agree,” said Selby to Bateman. “I think we accomplished some incredible things as a team.”

Bateman, during the meeting, spoke highly of the each member of the council.

“It has been my incredible privilege and honor to represent the people of Olympia as their council member since 2015,” she said.

Bateman, during a phone call with The JOLT today, said passing Olympia’s sanctuary city resolution in 2016 is the feat she is most proud of as a council member. The resolution states the city will serve all residents regardless of their immigration status. Bateman noted the speed at which the resolution came to fruition, as it was passed just two weeks after Donald Trump was elected in 2016. The resolution was sparked as a response to Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.

“It was really important for us to send a clear message that despite what might be happening at the federal level, that we would uphold the values of our community,” Bateman said.

A provision of the resolution made sure that if an undocumented resident were arrested, that they would not be transported to a facility that didn’t honor the city’s sanctuary city status. Notably, the American Civil Liberties Union worked with the Olympia City Jail on that provision, and uses Olympia’s model as a template for other communities.

When asked the issue that was most challenging as a council person, Bateman said the homelessness crisis has been the largest challenge. Bateman said the city has created staffing positions since she began serving on the council to work directly on homelessness. Recently, the city passed amendments to city zoning code, allowing for denser housing options in residential zoning areas, in an effort to create more, affordable housing.

Bateman said she intends to continue working on housing issues as a representative. More housing will be needed to accommodate population growth, she said.

“We need to build enough housing and we need to also invest in subsidized housing, housing for people that have disabilities, housing that people can afford when they’re only earning $300 a month,” Bateman said.

Bateman moved to Olympia in 2007 to attend The Evergreen State College. Her first role with the city was as an intern with the Public Works Department. She went on to work as a legislative assistant in the state house, and then as a member of the planning commission. She was elected to the city council in 2015.

The city council will appoint a new council person to fill the vacant spot. The city has received 28 applications for the role. After the candidate is selected in January, they will immediately join the council.

CORRECTION - Dec. 18, 2020:  This story originally stated that there are 29 candidates for the seat.