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Local Services
County awards 2022 Community Engagement Grants
King County is awarding more than $100,000 in grants to dozens of volunteer-led community events and projects in unincorporated areas through its 2022 Alan M. Painter Grant Program.
Community groups in unincorporated areas competed for the grants, which range between $500 and $5,000 each. Applicants had to match at least one quarter of the total cost of their projects, and all funded projects had to be accessible to all unincorporated residents, regardless of race, income, or language.
This year's recipients include:
☐ Alajawan Brown Foundation – Backpack and school supply giveaway, community family reunion, addressing food insecurity, and Thanksgiving events
☐ Fall City Community Association – Signs for community engagement events
☐ Sammamish Valley Alliance – Valley farm celebration/education events
Learn more about this year's grants on the King County Local Blog, or visit the grant program website.
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Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan kickoff postponed for a few weeks
The online Snoqualmie Valley/NE King County Subarea Plan Engagement Kickoff Event scheduled for April 28 has been postponed. It will be rescheduled in the coming weeks. King County Local Services apologizes for any inconvenience.
For updates and to learn more about this planning process, please visit the project's public engagement website or check this updated post on the King County Local blog.
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Natural Resources and Parks
Learn to identify noxious water plants at an in-person
“Lake Weed Watcher” training
The Lake Weed Watcher Program trains volunteers to be on the lookout for aquatic weeds in small King County lakes. Participants learn to identify both native and non-native aquatic plants, and how to watch out for invasive weeds that have the potential to spread locally and cause damage. Detecting these weeds early allows us to stop them before they get too entrenched to remove.
Free in-person training event:
Tuesday, June 21 - 6-8 p.m.
Beaver Lake Lodge
25201 SE 24th Street, Sammamish
Please register online and bring a mask, as part of this training will be held indoors
Photo: At the last training, held in 2018, participants checked out samples collected ahead of time and also learned how to collect samples by a lake..
Learn more on the King County Noxious Weed Program website
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Virtual community meeting on the Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project set for May 12
Join an online meeting with representatives of the King County Solid Waste Division to ask questions and learn about the process to find a site for the Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station, which is scheduled to open to the public in 2028. The new station will replace the aging Houghton Transfer Station in Kirkland. It will provide communities in northeast King County with improved recycling and waste disposal services while supporting King County's goals to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Thursday, May 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Learn more and register on the Northeast Recycling and Transfer Station Project website.
Learn about upcoming river projects that use large wood to cut flood risks and restore habitat
On May 17, King County’s Water and Land Resources Division will hold a virtual meeting about upcoming projects that include the use of large wood in rivers to reduce flood risks and improve habitat.
The online meeting will feature presentations about five project designs for the Cedar and Snoqualmie rivers and Issaquah Creek. The meeting is geared toward neighbors of upcoming projects, those interested in river safety, and recreation enthusiasts. Comments and questions are welcome.
Visit the Large wood in King County rivers website and sign up for updates to receive meeting details.
Apply now for a 2022 Flood Reduction Grant
The King County Flood Control District has made $12 million in grant funding available for projects that reduce flooding impacts.
The program targets flood reduction projects throughout King County. The Flood Control District is specifically interested in reaching tribes, homeowner associations, nonprofit organizations, schools, special purpose districts, cities, towns, and agencies in the county. Grants awarded in the past have ranged from $10,000 to $1.5 million.
To qualify for funding, projects must directly address existing or potential flooding. Projects that achieve multiple benefits are encouraged. The program was expanded last year to provide more funds and to include new categories of project types. In addition to the original Flood Reduction Grant category, three newer categories are Urban Streams, Coastal Erosion/Coastal Flooding, and Culvert Replacement/Fish Passage.
Visit the Flood Reduction Grants website for more information and to register for an info session. Contact Kim Harper with any questions. The deadline to apply for a 2022 grant is May 26.
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Get an on-site briefing about the Riverbend Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration Project east of Renton
Anyone interested in the Riverbend Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration Project is invited to meet at the project site on Wednesday, May 18, at 3 p.m. to tour the planned site and hear about plans for the upcoming construction.
The project is on the left bank of the Cedar River between river miles 6.5 and 7.5 (east of Renton on Highway 169). The approximate address of the site is 17410 Renton-Maple Valley Road, Renton.
Learn more about this project on the King County website.
Applications for Youth & Amateur Sports Grants are due Friday, May 20
This grant program will distribute $4 million in federal Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery funds to nonprofit organizations that provide programs and facilities that support physical activity for youths. This funding has more strict eligibility, compliance, and reporting requirements compared to King County Parks’ regular Youth Sports Grants program. Before applying, read the guidelines to learn about eligibility, priorities, timeline, process, documentation, and reporting requirements for this federal funding.
There will be two virtual webinar information sessions, a Fund Overview on Tuesday, May 3, and an Online Application Tutorial on Wednesday, May 4. Find link information and learn more about these grants on the grant program website.
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Vashon Island news
Celebrate Vashon’s agricultural heritage at Mukai Farm & Garden on Sunday, May 22
The Mukai Farm & Garden will celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage month with with a gathering of farmers, talks about the Island’s agricultural history, a tractor show, speakers, and plant sales (Marshall strawberry and Japanese vegetable starts). The event will honor B.D. Mukai, one of the Island’s most successful farmers, and other local farmers.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with special speakers starting at noon. Learn more on the Mukai Farm & Garden website.
Community and Human Services
An equitable development initiative is coming to King County
Join the community planning workgroup
King County is establishing a community planning workgroup to support development of a new King County equitable development initiative. In 2021 a coalition of organizations led by people who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color urged the King County Council to create a county-wide initiative modeled after Seattle’s successful Equitable Development Initiative.
Last month, the council asked County Executive Dow Constantine to establish a countywide equitable development initiative and provide the council with a framework, implementation plan, recommendations, and clear next steps with funding options.
This is where community members come in! Would you like to help King County shape this initiative? County residents are invited to apply by the deadline of 1 p.m. on Monday, May 9.
Workgroup members will be compensated at $75 per hour, and will be required to attend up to one 2-hour meeting per week from mid-May to mid-August 2022, and then up to two monthly 2-hour meetings from September 2022 through June 2023. All meetings will be virtual.
Learn more on the King County website | Apply now
King County's Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) still 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, May 17, 5:30-7 p.m. — Focus: communities in and around West Seattle, Burien, White Center, Tukwila, and the Duwamish Valley. Meeting will be in-person at Bethaday Community Learning Space with the option for virtual attendance. Register
☐ Thursday, May 19, 5:30-7 p.m. — Focus: communities in and around Skyway, Bryn Mawr, West Hill, and Renton (hosted by the West Hill Community Association). Register
☐ Tuesday, May 24, 5:30-7 p.m. — Focus: communities in and around SeaTac, Tukwila, Normandy Park, and Des Moines. Meeting will be in-person at the King County Veterans Program Tukwila Office with the option for virtual attendance. Register
☐ Thursday, May 26, 5:30-7 p.m. — Focus: East King County, including communities in and around Skykomish, Carnation, Duvall, Sammamish, and Issaquah. Meeting will be in-person at the Jim Ellis Preston Community Center with the option for virtual attendance. Register
Learn more on this blog post
Rural Area news
Unincorporated area councils submit joint comments on King County’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan Major Update
On April 22, a joint team of eight Rural Area unincorporated area councils, associations, and organizations submitted comments to the King County Council’s Local Services and Land Use Committee on the King County Executive’s recommended scope for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Major Update to be discussed at its April 26 meeting.
The comments recommend that several new items be added to the scope: resource industrial uses/facilities; property-specific development standards/special district overlays; demonstration projects; and rural neighborhood commercial centers/mixed uses.
Read/download the comments
—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, May 17 – 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, May 2, 7-9:30 p.m. — attend in person or via Zoom
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, and Zoom information 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, May 5 – 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, May 16 – 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 May 11 – 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.
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