Proposed Department of Local Services updates

The King County Council on April 16 adopted a motion providing guidance for creation of a new department that would collaborate with Council members to provide residents of the unincorporated areas with a focused point of accountability in the County and have their voices heard. Under the Council guidance, the new Department of Local Services would consist of a Permitting and Environmental Review Division, a Road Services Division, and the Community Services Area Program. The County Executive will send a proposed ordinance with this alignment to the Council later this year, for creation of a new department starting in January 2019. 

Learn more at town hall meetings in May and June

May 8 marks the first of 10 Community Services Area Town Hall meetings in May and June. In partnership with members of the King County Council, who provide direct representation in their respective districts, the town hall meetings are a chance for you to meet with County officials to share your thoughts and give them feedback. See the full schedule; you are encouraged to attend.

Kaiser Permanente presents the Big Backyard 5K on June 3 Sign up today! Individuals, kids, groups, and teams can register today for King County Parks’ ninth annual Big Backyard 5K Run/Walk and Kids' Dash. Don't miss a day of family fun at King County’s Marymoor Park. The BBY5K is dog, stroller, and family friendly! You can sign up online through June 1 and in-person on race weekend. Prices will vary depending on when you sign-up.  Will you be ready? If this is your first race, there are a few things you should know to make it the healthiest, most fun experience possible. Read about nine essential training tips for beginners from our partners at Kaiser Permanente.

Pet licensing outreach underway

Regional Animal Services of King County’s pet licensing outreach program is in full swing! Our representatives will be going door-to-door to educate residents about the benefits and requirements of pet licensing. Additionally, they will be providing temporary licenses to any pet owners that have not had a chance to purchase a permanent license. We will be visiting the following neighborhoods: Bellevue, Covington, Enumclaw, Kent, Maple Valley, Mercer Island and Unincorporated King County (south of I-90) on the weekends from April through October. For any questions, please feel free to visit the website.

4Culture arts and heritage grants available

Unincorporated King County organizations and individuals working in the arts and heritage field are encouraged to apply for a Community 4Culture grant. The program supports those who represent or serve marginalized communities that have not yet received 4Culture funding, visit the 4Culture website. 

May is Puget Sound starts here month

May is Puget Sound Starts Here month! Celebrate this body of water that adds to the region’s economy and way of life, but is in trouble and it needs our help to clean it up. More than 60 percent of water pollution comes from our cars and homes! No matter where you are in the County, all storm drains lead to a water way, and almost all waterways end in Puget Sound. If we add all our small actions, together we can make a difference. Find out how, events happening near you and more on the website.

Thar she blows!

May is also Washington Volcano Awareness Month. Did you know our area is home to five major active volcanoes? Learn more about these natural hazards and what to do if an eruption should occur on the website.

2017 Local Food Initiative Annual Report

When King County launched the Local Food Initiative the focus was to take a sustained, long-term effort to improve our food system so that it better reflects the values of communities and serves the needs of local farmers, low-income communities, consumers, and food businesses. King County celebrates the progress in the annual report, and recognizes that there is still a long way to go to fully meet the initiative's goals.

King County wants your feedback on marijuana industry

King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER) is conducting a study of the legal marijuana industry in unincorporated King County. As part of the study, DPER wants to hear from you! Have you experienced impacts from the legal marijuana industry in unincorporated King County? Has the marijuana industry developed in an equitable and socially-just way? How can King County improve its marijuana regulations for unincorporated areas? Visit the website to share your thoughts and to learn more about the study! The comment portal is open through June 30, 2018.  

Help for managing beavers

King County has a new decision flowchart to help residents manage issues with beavers. First the flowchart helps define what the problem is and then provides resources for where to get help. From beaver dams that can create flooding, to tree damage, to relocation – the flowchart covers a wide range of issues with a goal of helping people better co-exist with beavers. For everything you ever wanted to know about beavers in King County visit the website.

Upcoming Community Meetings

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council (GMVUAC)

Monday, May 7, 7-9:30 p.m.
Maple Valley Fire Station
Southeast corner of Southeast 231st St. and SR-169 intersection
Maple Valley
Guest speakers will be Larry Baumgart of the Maple Valley Farmer’s Market and Washington Department of Ecology’s Madeline Wall and Amy White to discuss the Reserve Silica Site cleanup program and the status of the Agreed Order.

Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meetings.

Green Valley/Lake Holm Association Meeting

Wednesday, May 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Fire District 44, Station 95
32316 148th Ave. SE 
Auburn
Visit the Facebook page or Twitter for the latest information and to confirm meetings. 

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council

Tuesday, May 8, 7-9 p.m.
Tuesday, June 12, 7-9 p.m.
Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 78
20720 SE May Valley Rd.
Issaquah
Visit the website at for the latest information and to confirm meeting.

Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage

No May meeting
Monday, June 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
12819 160th Ave. SE
Renton
Visit the website at for the latest information and to confirm meetings.

CARE community native plant sale
May 5 and 6, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
6220 2nd Pl.
Renton

Upper Bear Creek Community Council

No meeting scheduled for May.
Visit the website or Facebook page for the latest information and to confirm meetings.

West Hill Community Association Board Meeting

Wednesday, May 9, 7-9 p.m.
King County Fire District 20
12424 76th Ave S.
Seattle
WHCA monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. Email for more information.

West Hill Business Association

Tuesday, May 15, 9-11 a.m.
VFW Post 9430
7421 S. 126th St.
Seattle
Open to the public.  Are you a West Hill business owner?  Interested in connecting with other local business owners to strengthen our West Hill business district, create more visibility and improve our neighborhood?  For more information contact Cynthia Lamothe 206-722-7343.

Skyway Solutions

Monday, May 14, 6-8:30 p.m.
13470 MLK Jr Way S
Seattle
Visit the website at for the latest information and to confirm meeting or call 206-706-6400.

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council

Thursday, May 3, 7-9 p.m.
1243 SW 112th St.
Seattle
Open to the public. Monthly meeting of all-volunteer neighborhood based community organization.  For agenda information visit the website. For more information contact Barbara Dobkin. 

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