|
Local Services
The People’s Budget – Your Voice, Your Choice
Community members are working to bring project ideas to public
King County’s participatory budgeting process continues to move forward in what’s going to be a big 2022.
The Community Investment Budget Committee (the group of community members who are guiding participatory budgeting in unincorporated King County) has moved into its proposal development phase.
The committee is working with several dozen community members to rate and prioritize ideas submitted by the public and turn them into project proposals. These project proposals will be shared with the public and placed on the ballot. Then community members will vote in June on which project proposals to fund.
To date, we’ve received an assortment of project ideas, including requests for sidewalks, community gardens (see photo), and youth programs.
Learn more
|
Road Services
Last month, Road Services crews replaced a ruptured culvert and repaired a washed-out section of SE Middle Fork Road near North Bend.
Heavy rain and snow melt in late February sent extreme amounts of water through an existing undersized pipe, causing the culvert to burst and send torrents of water onto the road (see photo). Road Services closed the road as soon as possible, evaluated the area, and created a repair plan. SE Middle Fork Road is a favorite among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Work to replace the culvert began on Friday, March 4, and the road was reopened five days later.
The new culvert is 50% larger than the old one. It was built to handle high volumes of fast-moving water, which will help preserve the road and keep water flowing where it needs to during heavy rains.
|
Coal Creek Bridge replacement project update
 Crews add the finishing touches to the new, temporary bridge (on right). The existing Coal Creek bridge (on left) will be closed after traffic is shifted onto the temporary bridge (photo taken March 18, 2022),
After years of planning, work is about to begin to remove and replace the deteriorating, load-restricted 64-year-old Coal Creek Bridge on SE Lake Walker Road near Enumclaw. Road Services recently closed the old bridge and shifted traffic to a new, single lane temporary bridge. Major work is scheduled to begin in June. The project can’t begin any sooner because much of the construction requires crews to work inside the creek, and in-water work can only be done during summer months.
For updates and construction photos, check the Coal Creek Replacement Bridge Project website.
24/7 Road Helpline
Call Road Services for help with road maintenance and traffic safety issues in unincorporated King County—24 hours a day: 206‑477‑8100 or toll-free at 1‑800‑KC‑ROADS, or send email.
-----
Visit the King County Road Services website or follow Road Services on Twitter @kcroads.
Executive Services
Reminder: Property taxes are due Monday, May 2
Property tax payers have a couple of extra days to pay the first half of their property taxes this year, since the due date falls on a Saturday. Payments are accepted online, by mail, and by drop box. Visit kingcounty.gov/PropertyTax for details on payment options.
Customer service representatives are also available to assist on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. — call King County Treasury Operations at 206-263-2890 or send email.
The King County Assessor's Office provides information on tax exemption and deferral programs for seniors and people with disabilities or other qualifying conditions on its Tax Relief website, by email, or by phone at 206-296-3920.
|
License for love
From April 1 through June 30, you can license your cat or dog or renew an expired license and your late fees will be waived!
Licensing your pet...
* Reunites lost pets quickly
* Helps fund the care and adoption of shelter animals
* Supports the protection of people and pets in your community
Learn more and license online at kingcounty.gov/LicenseMyPet or call 206-296-2712. Interpreter service is available.
|
Safe Place Selfie Day is April 6
If an earthquake hit, where would you go? How about if a severe storm knocked out power for days? Knowing your safe place is a simple, essential step everyone can take to prepare. Knowing where to go ahead of time can minimize hesitation and ensure your decisions are good ones even under stressful conditions.
Join King County and the National Weather Service by participating in “Safe Place Selfie Day” on April 6. Share a photo from your safe place with the hashtags #SafePlaceSelfie and #KingCountyReady.
Challenge others to do the same by tagging them in your post — other family members, friends, colleagues at school or work, or others in your social network. We’re all safer when we’re prepared.
Find ways to get prepared for emergencies on the King County website.
Natural Resources and Parks
Virtual community meeting on the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill set for April 27
Join an online meeting with representatives of the King County Solid Waste Division and Bio Energy Washington to ask questions and learn about the latest activities at the county’s regional landfill and the landfill gas-to-energy facility.
Wednesday, April 27, 6-8 p.m.
Learn more and register: Solid Waste Division website
|
County Noxious Weeds Control Program will offer free workshops in May
The King County Noxious Weeds Control Program is offering a free online workshop series in May.
This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to learn more about weeds and weed control. Participants will be eligible for up to 8 WSDA pesticide applicator credits. Applicators can only earn 15 credits per year and need 40 every 5 years, so this is a great opportunity for some free credits!
Topics include weed laws, weed mapping apps, holly control, knotweed control, and “glyphosate, friend or foe?” Learn more on the Noxious Weeds website, or register for the workshops on Eventbrite.
Session 1: Wednesday, May 4, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Learn more/register
Session 2: Wednesday, May 11, 12 – 4 p.m. — Learn more/register
Photo: It may be pretty in bloom, but poison hemlock is acutely toxic to people and animals. All parts of the plant are poisonous and even the dead canes remain toxic for up to three years!
|
News and info from Water and Land Resources
StormFest 2022: Volunteer for StormFest and gain experience using best practices for environmental education and interacting with students from a variety of cultures. StormFest is an outdoor interactive stormwater science festival for students at five Highline middle schools. Bilingual station educators and interpreters will be paid stipends. Support your community’s youths and learn some great tips! Learn more
Volunteer this spring: Visit new areas, meet new friends, save a plant! Check out The Dirt: King County's Outdoor Volunteer Calendar.
Spring cleaning: While you're out enjoying spring weather, protect your property by checking for drainage, ponding, or water damage. If you have flooding damage, document the problem with pictures, videos, and notes, including what you've done to fix it. Look at the pipe inlets, ditches, and storm drains or grates that keep rainwater moving off properties and roads and clean out any leaves, mud, and trash that have accumulated. Drains and ditches must be clear to help carry water away from your property.
If you find flood damage or ponding and your property is in unincorporated King County, call the Drainage Assistance Line at 206-477-4811 or visit King County's How to report a drainage or water quality problem website. Provide your contact information and a description of your problem and an investigator will contact you to schedule a site visit.
If you live in other areas or cities of King County, find who to report flooding to in your city.
Resources for educators: K-12 educators of all kinds can find updated STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) lessons and resources about ecology, clean water, runoff, and stormwater, plus teacher training and grants in these guides:
More programs for educators are available on King County's Environmental Education website.
Sheriff's Office
King County is appointing a new Sheriff. Meet the four finalist candidates at a virtual public forum.
In November 2020, King County voters approved Charter Amendment No. 5, which changed the King County sheriff from an elected position to an appointed one. The amendment requires the county to get input from community members during the selection, appointment, and confirmation of a new sheriff.
A recruiting and selection process that incorporated recommendations from the county's Public Safety Advisory Committee has identified four finalists for the position. The public is invited to attend one of two upcoming forums to meet and ask questions of the four candidates. The forums are still being scheduled for mid-April. Once the dates and times are finalized, you can find them and information on how to join on the King County Sheriff's Office Facebook page. You can also contact King County Local Services by email or call 206‑477‑3800 for more information.
|
Metro Transit
March service change refined schedules, adjusted trips
King County Metro’s all-day, frequent, regional network continues to welcome more riders to transit. After restoring 36 routes in October 2021, Metro made further improvements starting March 19.
Riders can access more City of Seattle-funded bus trips added to Metro’s frequent transit network, as well as better access to hospitals on First Hill, improved connections to schools, and more night service in southeast and central Seattle.
Learn more on this Metro blog post
|
Community and Human Services
King County’s Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) wants to hear from you
VSHSL is partnering with community groups from across King County to host a series of Community Conversations to receive YOUR input on issues related to the levy.
Conversations are open to all King County residents. Each conversation will focus on a specific community. Feel free to join all that are relevant to your community!
This month’s Community Conversations
-
Tuesday, April 5, 5:30-7 p.m. — Focus: communities in and around Newcastle, Fairwood, Covington, Black Diamond, Maple Valley, and the Four Creeks unincorporated area. Register
-
Thursday, April 7, 5:30-7 p.m. — Focus: communities along North Lake Washington, including Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Woodinville. Hosted by North Urban Human Services Alliance. Register
-
Tuesday, April 12, 5:30-7 p.m. — Focus: communities in and around the Snoqualmie Valley, including Fall City, Preston, Snoqualmie, and North Bend. Register
-
Wednesday, April 20, 5:30-7 p.m. — Focus: community members and organizations that serve veterans, servicemembers, and their families throughout King County. Register
-
Wednesday, April 27, 5:30-7 p.m. — Focus: LGBTQIA+ community members and organizations that serve the LGBTQIA+ community throughout King County. Register
Learn more on this blog post
|
Grant opportunities
King County Best Starts for Kids Transitions to Adulthood
$1.85 Million Available, application deadline Tuesday, April 5
The Best Starts for Kids Transition to Adulthood strategy is seeking to partner with community-based organizations to support youths and young adults age 16-24 years. Activities include helping youths stay in and complete school and connecting them to education, employment, and post-secondary training opportunities in King County. The population focus includes youths experiencing homelessness and those who are traditionally less likely to graduate from high school on time and transition to post-secondary education. There's also a strong focus on employment support.
Learn more/apply
$600K for rural youth suicide prevention and peer services
The King County Department of Community and Human Services’ Behavioral Health and Recovery Division has released a request for applications for 2022-2023 Expanded Behavioral Health Services in Rural King County.
Up to $600,000 is available through American Rescue Plan Act funding to respond to community-identified needs for youth suicide prevention training and peer behavioral health services in rural, unincorporated King County. The ability to expend the awarded amount beyond 2023 is subject to approval by King County Council and is not guaranteed.
Applications are due by 2:30 p.m. on May 3. View the full request for applications and apply online. You can also view this notice on the DCHS blog.
Proposed legislation
King County accepting public comment on proposed fireworks enforcement rules through April 10
Now that consumer fireworks are prohibited in the unincorporated areas, King County is working to establish a complaint-based process that addresses violators. Residents can submit their comments on the proposed ordinance through April 10. The amendments would classify violations as “civil violations” rather than criminal, and would require a public complaint to be filed with the King County Permitting Division to trigger enforcement of fireworks violations. The ordinance would also establish the procedures for issuing warnings and citations for violations.
To read a draft and/or a plain language summary of the Proposed Fireworks Enforcement Ordinance and learn how to comment, see the King County Permits website.
Proposed new fossil fuel facility requirements open for public comment through April 22
King County has developed a draft ordinance that would add new requirements for potential new fossil fuel facilities in unincorporated King County. Examples of such facilities include thermal (gas) electric plants, which generate electricity for utility companies, and liquefied natural gas plants. The proposal would require a decommissioning plan for some types of fossil fuel facilities and would require all new fossil fuel facilities to provide proof of financial coverage for the risk of fire and explosion. If approved, the proposed requirements would be added to other, existing requirements for these types of facilities.
King County is accepting public comments on the draft ordinance through April 22. The draft is expected to be transmitted to the King County Council in June 2022 for consideration and possible adoption later this year. To review the proposals and find information on how to submit public comments, visit the King County website.
Washington State University Extension offers spring learning opportunities for King County forest owners
Registration is now open for three upcoming online programs from WSU Extension for owners of forested and wooded property in King County.
-
Online Forest Stewardship Coached Planning courses start on May 3 – learn everything you need to know about caring for your forest, including how to write your own personalized forest stewardship plan that could help you qualify to save money on property taxes. Participants will receive a site visit to their property by a professional forester. Cost: $150. These courses sell out fast, but you can get on a waiting list when they reach capacity.
-
Forest Stewardship in a Changing Climate – Between heat domes and record droughts, trees in the area are struggling, especially the hemlocks and cedars. Learn how to help your trees be more resilient to climate change at this virtual symposium on Thursday evenings starting April 21. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required.
-
Forest Carbon Opportunities for King County Forest Owners – Learn about managing your trees for carbon sequestration and emerging carbon credit opportunities for King County forest owners at this free virtual symposium on Thursday evenings starting June 9. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required.
|
Rural Area news
Unincorporated area councils submit joint comments on PSRC’s 2022 Regional Transportation Plan Update
A joint team of eight Rural Area unincorporated area councils, associations, and organizations submitted detailed comments to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) on its Draft Regional Transportation Plan Update on Feb. 25. The councils support the plan's strategies to invest the majority of available funds to maintain, preserve, and operate the regional transportation system and to direct most system-related improvements to transit. They also support replacement of motor vehicle fuel taxes with an equitable funding mechanism such as a road usage charge, which could help unburden county unincorporated road corridors that are increasingly used by inter-city urban commuters.
—Submitted by Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary, Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council
:: 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
Tuesday, April 19 – virtual meeting via Zoom (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Monthly meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information email Nancy Merrill.
:: Fall City Community Association
First Tuesdays – Virtual meeting (7-8:30 p.m.)
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. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, and are open to the public. For more information, visit fallcity.org or email send email.
:: Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council
Second Tuesdays – Virtual meeting via Zoom
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meeting dates and locations.
:: Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council
Monday, April 4, 7-8:30 p.m. — first in-person meeting in two years!
Hobart Church, 27524 SE 200th Street, Maple Valley
(NW corner of SE 200th Street and the Issaquah-Hobart Road)
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meetings. An agenda, including a list of any invited guest speakers, will be posted several days before the meeting.
:: Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
The Green Valley/Lake Holm Association advocates for those who live in unincorporated southeast King County. Primary goals are to maintain the community’s unique historic, agricultural, and rural character; protect the environment; and sustain quality of life in the area. We engage regularly with local government agencies to address concerns and influence policies on topics of mutual interest, such as growth and development, transportation, public safety, and flood control. Stay connected by visiting their Facebook page.
:: 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
Thursday, April 7 – virtual meeting via Zoom (7-9 p.m.)
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
Visit the website or Facebook page for the latest information.
:: Vashon Chamber of Commerce
Contact: discover@vashonchamber.com.
:: Vashon-Maury Island Community Council
Monday, April 18 – Virtual meeting via Zoom (7-9 p.m.)
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. For more information visit vmicc.net or email David Vogel.
:: West Hill Community Association
Wednesday April 13 – virtual meeting via Zoom (7-9 p.m.)
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. For more information, visit the website or send email.
King County Local Services just wrapped up our 2022 Community Service Area town halls. We hold these meetings each year to check in with the communities we serve, inform them about county projects and programs, and get public input. This year’s town halls focused on prioritizing our community needs lists, a new tool we’re using to help community members tell us what investments they'd like the county to make in their neighborhoods.
The things people have requested on those lists are as varied as the communities of unincorporated King County, but some themes emerged that are common across all the areas we serve.
Public safety. People in every community in the unincorporated areas want to see more investments in public safety. In urban areas, they want new and more creative intervention strategies such as addressing issues like mental health, substance abuse, and trespassing by people who are unhoused with non-uniformed first responders instead of law enforcement. In our rural communities, people strongly support adding more deputies and Sheriff’s Office storefronts.
Homelessness. This is not just a downtown Seattle issue. We have community members throughout King County who are unhoused and need assistance. Almost every community told us they want the county to take steps to address homelessness and the problems that come with it.
Community character. People in every community said they want to maintain their community’s character in the face of growth and development. Those in urban communities like Skyway and White Center are concerned about gentrification—when development pushes out longstanding residents, particularly those who have low incomes and/or are people of color. Rural residents are concerned about development turning their communities into suburbs, which could harm our agricultural communities and the “small town” feel of places like Fall City, Preston, Ravensdale, and Vashon.
Transportation. People in unincorporated areas want transportation improvements. They’re also concerned about the impact that developments in rural cities are having on county roads because of increased traffic.
Permitting and code enforcement. From an asphalt plant on the Cedar River to wineries and tasting rooms in the Sammamish Valley, community members have concerns about how permits are being issued, the role the public has in that process, and how codes are being enforced.
In addition to these major themes, the people we met with raised other issues specific to their areas. The good news is that we’re going to use everything we heard during these meetings to prioritize the community needs lists. Then we’ll share those lists with every King County agency as those agencies prepare their next biennial budgets. Each agency will use this information to inform its investment choices for the 2023-2024 biennium.
The goal of all this effort has been to provide each of our communities with a voice in the next King County budget.
|
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).
|
