The King County Council unanimously approved the appointment of Rick Brater as Road Services Division Director, a position he has filled on an interim basis since October.
Road Services, a division of the Department of Local Services, maintains 1,500 miles of roadway and 182 bridges in unincorporated King County. The agency has nearly 400 employees and six maintenance divisions.
Brater has worked for King County for more than 17 years, serving as Engineering Services Section Manager, then County Road Engineer before being named Interim Director. Before joining King County, he spent nearly a decade with Washington State Ferries.
“I thank the Executive and Council for their vote of confidence and look forward to serving in this position to my utmost abilities,” Brater said. “Working with the Council, I hope to find innovative strategies to address the challenges in our unincorporated roads network and meet the growing needs of this region.”
John Taylor, Local Services Director, said Brater “was instrumental in coordinating and leading the Road Services Division in the recent snow events and is a trusted professional with an outstanding reputation. I look forward to working with him to address the challenges ahead in maintaining our roads network.”
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Is your yard still recovering from winter weather? King County is offering two weekends of free storm-related yard waste recycling at six solid waste facilities to help residents remove excess yard waste like branches, brush, and stumps that accumulated during the February “snowmageddon” and other winter storms.
Drop off yard waste free of charge March 30-31 and April 6-7 at the Bow Lake, Enumclaw, Factoria, Shoreline, and Vashon recycling and transfer stations, and at the Cedar Falls Drop Box. Branches must be less than 8 feet long and less than 4 inches in diameter. Tree stumps or wood rounds must be less than 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet. Sod, soil, rocks and plastic bags will not be accepted, and make sure you keep garbage separate. When traveling to a facility, always secure your load.
Visit kingcounty.gov/TransferStation to find facility locations and hours of operation.
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The King County Permitting Division's subarea planner/program manager, Brad Clark, will leave soon to pursue other life goals. When he was hired, Clark (pictured at left) became the first manager of the county’s subarea planning program after it restarted in 2015. He and other staffers have offered residents of unincorporated King County a new vehicle for helping to shape the future of their communities.
The division's lead planner, Kevin LeClair, has joined the Subarea Planning section as a principal subarea planner. He has a deep knowledge and understanding of state and county laws and regulations, plus a keen appreciation for the people served by the Permitting Division. He'll be implementing land use policies and regulations around development proposals, including the Redmond Ridge Rezone and Bear Creek Urban Planned Development.
Jae Hill will join Permitting as a principal subarea planner on April 1. He previously managed all long-range and comprehensive planning for the City of Redmond, and all planning in Sun Valley, Idaho and Fairbanks, Alaska. He has master’s degrees in Planning and Business Administration, and is a certified planner and floodplain manager.
David Goodman will also join Permitting on April 1, as a senior subarea planner. A former senior management analyst in the City of Sammamish Long Range Planning group, he has broad experience with the development, implementation, monitoring, and legislative analysis and review of the city’s comprehensive plan, Town Center subarea plan, and land use regulations. He also has extensive public speaking experience related to land use planning at planning commission, city council, and other public meetings.
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Full road closure of 4th Avenue SW April 1-May 3
From Monday, April 1 to Friday, May 3, a road improvement project will require full, 24/7 closure of 4th Avenue SW in White Center between SW 100th Street and SW Roxbury Street. The work is part of a King County Housing Authority neighborhood improvement project for the Greenbridge Community, and includes drainage system improvements, new sidewalks, crosswalks, and new on-street parking. During the closure, a detour will be posted directing motorists to SW 102nd Street, 8th Avenue SW, and SW Roxbury Street—but alternate routes are available, including 16th Avenue SW and Myers Way. Visit the My Commute web page to view the map.
Paving work scheduled
Starting Monday, April 1, paving work will take place on Kanaskat Kangley Road SE east of Maple Valley and Black Diamond. The work requires a daily lane restriction from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Kent Kangley Road and Cumberland Kanaskat Road SE. Motorists will be directed through the work zone and should expect delays. This work is weather dependent. Crews expect to complete the work on Friday, April 12 at 5 p.m. Visit the My Commute web page to view the map. Additional times and locations: https://www.kingcounty.gov/paving
Upcoming bridge inspections
In early April, two bridge inspections will take place. On Tuesday, April 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., crews will inspect Novelty Bridge #404B near Duvall. On Wednesday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., crews will inspect Smith Parker Bridge #615A near Snoqualmie. An Under Bridge Inspection Truck will be used during the inspections, which requires a lane restriction. Motorists will be directed through the work zones.
Closure due to tree removal on NE 124th Way near Redmond
On Saturday, April 6, tree removal and trimming will take place on NE 124th Way near Redmond. The work requires a full road closure from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. between 164th Ave NE and 172nd Ave NE. View the map on the My Commute web page.
Photo: an Under Bridge Inspection Truck at work on Novelty Bridge in 2017
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Visit the Road Services website | Road Services blog
The following workshops are free and open to all King County residents, but please note that registration is required.
Tuesday, April 2, 6:30-8 p.m. - Des Moines
King County Library Meeting Room
21620 11th Avenue S
Thursday, April 11, 6:30-8 p.m. - Skyway
King County Library Meeting Room
12601 76th Avenue S
Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-8 p.m. - Vashon
King County Library Meeting Room 17210
Vashon Highway SW
All participants are welcome. For questions about accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact Sophia Lopez at slopez@kingcounty.gov or 206-205-6545. Requests should be made at least 14 calendar days before the workshop.
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King County Metro is developing an Area Mobility Plan in south King County, including unincorporated areas in the Green River Valley between Kent and Auburn and the Lakeland South area west of Auburn. The cities of Renton, Kent, and Auburn are also included. The plan will integrate a new RapidRide line, which will replace six current lines across King County with service up to 20 percent faster than traditional bus service. The plan will also include local bus service, dial-a-ride transit (DART) service, and Metro's Community Connections Program, which provides cost-effective transportation options in areas that are not set up to support typical bus service.
Metro is talking with area communities to learn and understand their needs and priorities for these new mobility solutions.
How to get involved:
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Take Metro’s Renton-Kent-Auburn Area Mobility Plan survey (open through March 31; available in multiple languages).
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Talk with Metro staffers in your community. Here’s a calendar on their website.
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Join Metro’s Renton-Kent-Auburn Area Mobility Board. Community members who live, work and travel within the area can apply here to help advise Metro about service proposals and ways to engage with the community.
Area organizations submit comments on King County Comprehensive Plan 2020 Midpoint Update
On Feb. 15, the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council, along with four other rural area organizations (Enumclaw Plateau Community Association, Green Valley/Lake Holm Association, Hollywood Hill Association, and Upper Bear Creek Unincorporated Area Council), submitted a joint set of comments to the King County Council on the Executive’s Scoping Document. Comments and recommendations in the document concerned several subjects, including urban or urban-serving facilities in the rural area and the Urban Growth Boundary.
Groups review Puget Sound Regional Council VISION 2050 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
Several rural area unincorporated area councils/associations, led by the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council, are doing in-depth reviews of the Puget Sound Regional Council’s VISION 2050 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. This 200-page (plus eight appendices) document represents a major update to VISION 2040, released in 2008. The groups are developing a joint set of detailed comments for submission to the PSRC by its April 29 deadline.
Vashon-Maury Island news
Wastemobile household hazardous waste collection event April 12-14
Safely dispose of old car batteries, oil, paint thinner and many other household hazardous items at no cost by visiting the Wastemobile when it comes to Vashon-Maury Island, April 12-14.
The Wastemobile will be in the old Tjomsland Gravel Pit, 17701 107th Avenue SW, Vashon, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Residents can drop off household hazardous waste items including pesticides, oil-based paints, automotive products (oil, antifreeze, lamps, etc.), fluorescent bulbs/tubes, and other items without a charge. The service is prepaid through garbage and sewer utility fees.
Learn more about the Wastemobile | Watch a video on YouTube
April Local Services Days on Vashon
Bong Santo Domingo from the King County Department of Local Services will be on Vashon Island on the following Tuesdays: April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for customer service. For more information, contact him by email or call 206-351-8071.
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Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
Monday, April 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
12819 160th Avenue SE
Renton
See website for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
Enumclaw Plateau Community Association
Saturday, April 20, 9-11 a.m.
Location TBD (please visit the website)
Fall City Community Association
Tuesday, April 2, 7 p.m.
Fall City Fire Department
4301 334th Place SE
Fall City
The Fall City Community Association promotes building of community, proactively communicates on local issues, and takes action on selected issues that affect the Fall City community. Open to the public. For more information, email Ashley Glennon.
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council
Tuesday, April 9, 7-9 p.m.
Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 78
20720 SE May Valley Road
Issaquah
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meeting dates and locations.
Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council
Monthly meeting
Monday, April 1, 7-9:30 p.m.
Maple Valley Fire Station
Southeast corner of SE 231st Street and SR-169 intersection
King County Department of Local Services Director John Taylor will discuss issues of importance to the unincorporated areas and how the new department will seek solutions. All southeast King County unincorporated area councils and unincorporated area associations are invited to attend.
Tentative topic for May 6 meeting: Water restoration and enhancement (the State Department of Ecology’s Water Resource Inventory Area Water Resource & Enhancement Committees)
Special meeting
Tuesday, April 23, 7-9:30 p.m.
Maple Valley Fire Station
Southeast corner of SE 231st Street and SR-169 intersection
Puget Sound Regional Council VISION 2050 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: the council will convene a special meeting to discuss and vote on a final set of joint comments to be submitted to the Puget Sound Regional Council by its April 29 deadline. All participating King County unincorporated area councils and associations are invited to attend.
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
Green Valley/Lake Holm Association Meeting
Wednesday, April 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Fire District 44, Station 95
32316 148th Avenue SE
Auburn
Regular meeting agenda items include committee updates on transportation, environmental, and safety issues. Visit the association on Facebook or Twitter or send email for more information.
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council
Thursday, April 4, 7 p.m.
North Highline Fire District
1243 SW 112th Street
White Center
(Parking and entrance are in the back of the station)
Open to the public. Monthly meeting of all-volunteer neighborhood based community organization. For more information, email Liz Giba.
Skyway Solutions Community Development Association
Monday, April 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
13470 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S
Seattle
Open to the public. Skyway Solutions is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in unincorporated Skyway. For more info call 206-706-6400.
Upper Bear Creek Community Council
No meeting scheduled for March.
Visit the website or Facebook page for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
West Hill Community Association
Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 10, 7-9 p.m.
King County Fire District 20
12424 76th Avenue S
Board meetings are open to the public and often feature guest speakers as well as community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information, visit the website or send email to contact@mywesthill.org.
Spring quarterly meeting
Tuesday, April 16, 7 p.m.
7421 S 126th Street
Seattle
If you live, work or spend time in West Hill, this is your chance to get insider knowledge of everything happening in your community (and meet your neighbors!). Meeting will feature several special presentations, community announcements and reports, and WHCA Board elections (six seats). For more information, email contact@mywesthill.org.
Unincorporated Area Community News is published monthly by the King County Department of Local Services. Please direct questions or comments to Anna Clemenger, anna.clemenger@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-3839.
View this issue as a web page: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAKING/bulletins/23a90d0
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