Summer is here. Here in the Puget Sound area, that also means the threat of wildfire smoke. This year is different as we continue to respond to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Smoke may create additional risk for people with COVID-19 and worsen symptoms, which gives us even more reason to be prepared for wildfire smoke this summer.
What is the health threat from wildfire smoke and what can you do to minimize that threat? Read more in Public Health Insider, and learn more about COVID-19 and wildfire smoke from the Washington State Department of Health.
Source: King County Emergency Management News Bulletin - July 2020
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King County Local Services
Small businesses in unincorporated King County may apply for grant funds through July 10
King County Local Services is helping small businesses in unincorporated areas that have been hit hardest by COVID-19 receive funds through the county’s Small Business Assistance Program. The agency is partnering with local chambers of commerce and other community business organizations that serve businesses in these areas.
If you own a small business in unincorporated King County, and you meet basic eligibility criteria, you can apply for a Small Business Assistance Grant.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate and document financial need resulting from the COVID-19 closures.
The program will accept applications through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 10. For details and application materials—in English and eight other languages—visit the program website:
www.kingcounty.gov/LocalBusinessHelp
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Public Health
King County COVID-19 resources
Public Health-Seattle & King County
Website | News and Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Washington State Department of Health
Website | Facebook | Twitter
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Website | Twitter
----- COVID-19 Call Centers -----
Medical questions related to COVID-19
206-477-3977 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Non-medical questions about COVID-19, including compliance and business issues
King County COVID-19 Business and Community Information Line
206-296-1608 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
General questions about COVID-19 in Washington State
Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center
800-525-0127
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Road Services
Full road closure and night paving on Novelty Hill Road through July
Drivers who use NE Novelty Hill Road between Redmond Ridge and Duvall should expect travel delays this summer due to pavement resurfacing, slide repairs, and culvert replacement work in the area.
Starting July 6, King County Road Services will return to the slide-prone area on NE Novelty Hill Road—between 243rd Ave NE and West Snoqualmie Valley Road—to permanently shore up the unstable hillside that caused a temporary road closure earlier this year (see photo above). This part of the road will be fully closed for three weeks. See the news release for more details.
The county also will close single lanes at night for paving work on NE Novelty Hill Road between 234th Place NE and 243rd Avenue NE, and sections of West Snoqualmie Valley Road between NE Woodinville-Duvall Road and the King-Snohomish county line.
Looking ahead: Next month, Road Services will close West Snoqualmie Valley Road from just north of NE 124th Street and NE Woodinville-Duvall Road for four weeks to replace a worn-out underground drainage culvert. Local access will be maintained throughout the closure.
Culvert work in Kent/Auburn to close Green River Road through August
This summer, King County Road Services will replace an aging culvert under Green River Road at Olson Creek, just north of the Auburn Golf Course near Auburn and Kent. The new, bigger culvert will preserve the roadway and improve fish passage.
To do this work, Road Services must close Green River Road to all traffic, in both directions, for seven weeks—from July 13 to Aug. 28. During construction, northbound drivers will be able to get to the Auburn Golf Course and southbound drivers will be able to get to the Mary Olson Farm and the S 277th Corridor Trail.
Roadside tree trimming and maintenance work
This summer, you may notice King County Road Services trimming low-hanging tree branches and clearing overgrown bushes and weeds from roadside drainage ditches in your neighborhood. This required maintenance helps keep our drainage systems clear and improves sight distance on the road, making it easier for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and other users to see oncoming traffic.
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24/7 Road Helpline
Call Road Services for help with road maintenance and traffic safety issues in unincorporated King County (like downed stop signs, traffic signals that aren't working, or trees over the roadway) — 24 hours a day: 206-477-8100 or toll-free at 1-800-KC-ROADS, or send email.
You can also visit the King County Road Services website or follow Road Services on Twitter @kcroads.
Emergency Management
More people need help getting food during the pandemic
Food banks need your help now more than ever.
“The pandemic and the resulting unemployment and economic downturn are having a severe impact on people’s ability to pay for basic necessities, including food,” said Brendan McCluskey, director of King County Emergency Management.
Financial donations and volunteers are critically needed at food banks.
“Especially with the potential for a second wave (of COVID-19), food bank providers are showing concern,” said Jennifer Rosenberger, Senior Manager with King County Emergency Management.
The King County Donations Connector directs people who want to give money to the Washington Food Fund through Philanthropy Northwest. You can also sponsor a food box.
Photo: About 330 National Guard members were deployed to help at food banks in King County. Of those, 116 ended their assignments by the end of June. That leaves a significant gap, since volunteers have for the most part followed the governor’s stay-home order.
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Get help or give help through the Donations Connector
Organizations can still help or get help through the King County Donations Connector. Check the Donations Connector for an updated list of current needs. Donations are distributed to first responders, health care providers and others fighting COVID-19.
Photo: Director General Alex Fan of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office brought 10,500 surgical masks from the Taiwanese government to King County Emergency Management recently. The masks will be distributed to long-term care facilities, EMS, and others on the front lines working against COVID-19.
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Natural Resources & Parks
Remember to recreate responsibly this summer
As you venture out to enjoy our lovely Pacific Northwest summer, please remember to add a face covering and hand sanitizer to your kit of 10 essentials.
When you’re on the trail or in a park, wear a face covering when physical distance can’t be maintained, such as at trailheads, parking lots, and restrooms.
For more tips to recreate responsibly to keep each other safe and our parks and trails open, visit the King County Parks COVID-19 response blog post.
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Wastewater Treatment Division invites public comment on scope of Clean Water Plan's Draft Environmental Impact Statement
A public comment period for the scope of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review of King County's Clean Water Plan will be open through 5 p.m. on July 19. Visit the county's online open house to learn more about the plan, SEPA scoping, and how to submit a comment.
The SEPA review process is designed to help agency decision-makers and the public understand how a proposed action or plan will affect the environment.
To make a formal SEPA scoping comment, submit your comment via email (to CleanWaterPlanSEPA@kingcounty.gov) or regular mail to Katherine Fischer, Environmental Programs Managing Supervisor, King County Wastewater Treatment Division, 201 S Jackson Street, KSC-NR-0505, Seattle WA 98104-3855.
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Secure your load for safer roads
King County encourages all residents to take the time to properly secure their loads to improve road safety, avoid fees, and prevent litter.
A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that road debris contributes to more than 50,000 traffic crashes every year in the U.S. In those crashes, 125 people lost their lives. It only takes a few minutes and basic supplies such as rope, straps, and netting to secure a load. You can find more information about securing your load on the Solid Waste Division website.
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Lake Francis Park closed through July 20
Lake Francis Park near Hobart will be closed through Monday, July 20 for parking lot improvements, repair of drainage issues, and removal of some hazardous trees.
Questions? Call 206-477-4527 or send email to parksinfo@kingcounty.gov.
Learn how to tackle invasive weeds in forests, fields, and parks
Online learning on noxious weeds and invasive plants is available from King County’s Noxious Weed Control Program. Upcoming classes include:
> July 8 - identifying and controlling noxious weeds and invasive plants
> July 15 - forest weed control techniques
Both classes are free, offered online, and open to all.
Register and learn more on the King County website.
4Culture
New fund coming for King County cultural organizations
Looking for funds to restart your cultural activities?
4Culture will launch a Reopen/Restart fund for King County cultural organizations needing financial support to adhere to public health and safety guidelines or to continue to offer programs digitally.
Guidelines and application will be posted July 6.
The deadline is August 3.
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Rural Area news
Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council
2020 Comprehensive Plan Mid-Point Update —Joint Comments
Several Rural Area unincorporated area councils, associations, and organizations* submitted joint comments to the King County Council on the 2020 King County Comprehensive Plan (KCCP) Mid-Point Update. Many issues important to Rural Area residents were addressed—4:1, agricultural production districts, accessory dwelling units, non-resource industrial uses, transportation, pathways/sidewalks, and Pacific Raceways zoning.
Because these comments were submitted before the King County Council’s June 9 public hearing, the organizations were unable to address the SEPA review analyses (released June 8) and are now preparing an addendum to their joint comments to be submitted by the end of June.
* Enumclaw Plateau Community Association, Green Valley/Lake Holm Association, Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council, Hollywood Hill Association, Upper Bear Creek Unincorporated Area Council, Friends of Sammamish Valley, and Soos Creek Area Response
—Submitted by Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary
Vashon/Maury Island news
Vashon Island Fire and Rescue, the lead agency for the all-volunteer Vashon Emergency Operations Center, prepared their 2019 Annual Report in the form of an action comic/graphic novel.
It highlights the community's emergency volunteer efforts, features the new fire truck and how it was introduced to the station, and includes local landmarks and stories.
Check it out!
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NOTE: Although public meetings have been canceled, here's a list of community councils and associations that serve King County's unincorporated Community Service Areas, including their usual (or most recent) meeting sites and contact information where applicable.
:: Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
12819 160th Avenue SE, Renton
See blog for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
:: Enumclaw Plateau Community Association
Headsworks Brewing
1110 Marshall Avenue, Enumclaw
Newly formed community association. Monthly meetings are open to the public, and may feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information contact Nancy Merrill.
:: Fall City Community Association
Fall City Fire Station
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, visit fallcity.org or email Angela Donaldson.
:: Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council
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
Monday, July 6, 7-9:30 p.m.—Zoom “virtual” meeting
(When face-to-face meetings resume, they will be at:
Maple Valley Fire Station
Southeast corner of SE 231st Street and SR-169 intersection)
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
:: Green Valley/Lake Holm Association Meeting
Mountain View Fire and Rescue, Station 95
32316 148th Avenue SE, Auburn
Stay connected through their Facebook page or by email.
:: Skywest Tool Library
Skyway Water and Sewer office
6723 S 124th Street, Seattle
Join the SkyWest Tool Library Monthly Meeting to learn more about helping to start a new tool library in Skyway. The purpose of the library will be to share ideas, teach, learn, and borrow tools and more. Contact the library on Facebook.
:: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council
North Highline Fire District
1243 SW 112th Street, White Center
(Parking and entrance are in the back of the station)
Monthly board meetings are open to the public and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from local organizations. For more information, email Liz Giba.
:: Upper Bear Creek Community Council
Woodinville Library
17105 Avondale Road NE, Woodinville
Visit the website or Facebook page for the latest information and to confirm meetings.
:: Vashon Chamber of Commerce First Tuesday Networking
Vashon Chamber of Commerce
17141 Vashon Highway SW, Vashon
Contact: Jim Marsh at 206-463-6217 or discover@vashonchamber.com.
:: Vashon-Maury Island Community Council
Regular virtual meetings on third Mondays, 7-9 p.m.
Visit the website for info on how to attend, or see the Facebook page.
:: West Hill Community Association
Skyway Fire District 20
12424 76th Avenue S, Seattle
The organization's website now features a page with information about businesses and restaurants in the community that are still operating during the Governor's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order.
Monthly board meetings are open to the public and often feature guest speakers as well as community reports and information from local organizations. For more information, visit the website or send email. Learn more on Facebook.
As we enter the sixth month of this global COVID-19 pandemic, it's never been more important to remain vigilant and look out for one another. At the Department of Local Services we're hard at work trying to help unincorporated King County reopen and support local businesses while remaining safe and healthy.
On Friday, June 26 we launched a grant program to support small businesses in King County, making grants of up to $5,000 available to small businesses that have suffered losses from the pandemic. Interested businesses can find the application and supporting materials on our website, and King County will be accepting applications until July 10.
In the past week we delivered more than 35,000 cloth masks to community-based organizations across the unincorporated area, along with hundreds of cases of hand sanitizer. These supplies are intended to ease the burden on financially strained local organizations and help them serve the community safely as we gradually reopen king County.
And while we are reopening, please remember that the novel coronavirus is still present in our community, and that we're all at risk when people ignore social distancing guidelines. So please wear a mask when you're in public.
Please enjoy a safe and healthy Fourth of July.
Director’s Corner is a column from John Taylor, the director of King County Local Services.To contact John, email AskLocalServices@kingcounty.gov or call 206-477-3800 (Relay 711; language interpreters available).
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