COVID-19 Data Updates
Unfortunately, COVID hospitalization rates have gone up by about 17% over the last seven days. This is coupled with a 24% increase in COVID-related deaths during the same time period. For up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the County, see the Daily COVID-19 outbreak summary dashboard. The links to the data by demographics and geography are on the same page.
You can also sign up for Covid alerts and find recent articles and information from Public Health here.
Another interesting Covid dashboard is the Economic, social and overall health dashboard.
View all County COVID-related Data Dashboards here, including vaccination rates and outcomes according to vaccination status.
View the most recent statewide COVID-19 data from the state Department of Health (DOH).
Helpful Public Health-related Articles
This week at the King County Council
King County Council
On Tuesday, the King County Council met and took up a short agenda starting with a recognition of American Muslim holidays in King County. The rest of the meeting was mostly pro forma and not too exciting – that is unless consent items and ordinances dealing with land use in the Covington Water District get you revved up.
You can watch video of the proceedings by clicking here.
Flood Control District Board of Supervisors
Following the meeting of the King County Council, councilmembers switched hats and took up their duties as supervisors of the Flood Control District. At the meeting, members took action on a couple of items having to do with operations, finances and expenditures within the flood control zone – including approving grants earmarked for salmon recovery and habitat restoration work in King County. They were also briefed on the 2022 Cooperative Watershed Management Grant Program and the application of the Integrated Flood Management plan to capital project design.
You can watch video of the proceedings by clicking here.
Government Accountability and Oversight Committee
On Tuesday, members of the committee received an update on the operations of the Records and Licensing Services Division followed by a briefing from the Office of Risk Management Services.
You can access the video of the meeting here.
Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
Members of the committee met on Wednesday to discuss and vote on the 3rd omnibus supplemental budget to the 2021-2022 biennial budget. This critical funding update includes appropriations on many important functions, including to accelerate fish habit restoration, prosecution of hate crimes, preservation of residential treatment beds, and translation services for elections ballots. I was also pleased the chair of the committee, CM Joe McDermott, included language I proposed for his striker to ensure the return of the Waterfront Shuttle operated by the Seattle Historic Waterfront Association –- a great service that promotes tourism and access to one of Seattle’s most popular destinations.
You can access the video of the meeting here.
Regional Policy Committee
Also on Wednesday, members of the Regional Policy Committee received a general update on Supreme Court operations followed by a briefing on the state’s new 988 crisis hotline and the implementation of this new service. Lastly, members approved a motion accepting the sixth annual Best Start for Kids report.
You can access the video of the meeting here.
Next week at the King County Council
King County Council: Tuesday July 19th at 1:00 p.m.
Members of the committee will kick things off with a COVID-19 briefing followed by a recognition of Seo Eunji the new Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle. After some consent items (one of which being my motion to accepting the 2020 annual mental illness and drug dependency evaluation summary report), members will vote to approve a motion I cosponsored declaring fentanyl-related overdoses a public health crisis and requesting the executive to identify strategies and recommendations regarding the county's public health response.
You can find links to the meeting agenda, meeting materials, and instructions on providing public comment here.
Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee: Tuesday July 19th at 9:30 a.m.
Members of the committee will take up a busy agenda first by voting on some consent items and then by taking up an ordinance related to grant funding allocations from the most recent Parks Levy. This will be followed by briefings on wildfire risk and youth ORCA cards. The meeting will conclude with action on making youth fares free for transit in accordance with new state law and discussion on the county’s open space plan.
You can find links to the meeting agenda, meeting materials, and instructions on providing public comment here.
Committee of the Whole: Wednesday July 20th at 9:00 a.m.
At this meeting, I will be chairing the second of a three-part series on gun violence at which we will hear from members of the community who have been impacted by our nation’s ongoing gun violence epidemic and from those organizations doing the work on the ground as peacekeepers and community violence interrupters. Originally, I had planned for this series to only contain two parts but because of the bulk of information and the broadness of the topic, I have decided to extend the series and hold a third segment at our meeting of the Committee of the Whole on August 17th. If you decide to tune in, please be aware that some of the topics can be upsetting including homicide, suicide, and domestic violence. Please engage in self-care if you participate in this meeting.
In the meantime, I encourage you to read this informative report about the regional approach we as a county are taking to curb gun violence in our region.
Related articles:
Wednesday’s meeting will also feature appointments to the county’s Gender, Identity and Sexual Orientation Inclusion Task Force, a potential vote on Councilmember Zahilay’s proposed ordinance on sheltering our most vulnerable residents during extreme weather events, and potential action on Councilmember Dembowski’s proposed motion to assess the feasibility of establishing a year-round voluntary safe firearm and ammunition return program. I am a cosponsor of both measures.
You can find the agenda, meeting materials, and instructions on providing public comment here.
Board of Health: Thursday, July 21st at 1:00 p.m.
Members of the committee will receive a briefing on Public Health’s climate and health equity initiative followed by a briefing on the progress of the Board’s restructure and recruitment process.
The agenda, meeting materials and instructions on providing public comment are available on this page.
Other items of interest
Summer/Fall 2022 – King County Council District Four Communications Intern
My office is currently seeking an intern to work alongside my D4 staff and me. The successful candidate will assist in preparing this weekly e-newsletter as well as my social media posts. In addition, the intern will attend events and meetings in the community with me.
This intern will report directly to my Chief of Staff, Adam Cooper and work closely with our Communications Director, Clara Manahan.
If you are interested, please submit a resume, cover letter and writing sample to Adam Cooper, Chief of Staff, at adam.cooper@kingcounty.gov by July 20, 2022, and you can call him with questions at 206.890.7407 or 206.477.1004.
Polish Festival at the Seattle Center – A big hit
I had a fabulous time participating in the Polish Festival last Saturday at the Seattle Center. The festival featured authentic Polish food, live music, exhibits, merchants, vodka tasting, beer garden, workshops, and more. Time was also taken to recognize the Ukrainian community, including newly arriving refugees, and Ukraine as it endures the horror of war. I was pleased to read the King County Council’s recognition on Ukraine made at our March 1st Council meeting. I was also pleased to visit with Polish Honorary Consul Teresa Indelak Davis, Hon. Consul of Ukraine Valeriy V. Goloborodko, Seattle Dep. Mayor Kendee Yamaguchi, and Seattle Center Director of Facilities, Planning and Operations Rose Ann Lopez. Seattle truly is a melting pot, and it is great to celebrate everyone in our community and their diverse experiences and perspectives.
KC Day at the races
I had a great time at the annual King County Day at the Races at Emerald Downs on Sunday. This is a great event for King County Employees and family members to enjoy horse racing at one of the nation’s most beautiful racetracks. I was pleased to join was joined by Councilmember Pete Von Reichbauer, Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall, Presiding Judge Patrick Oishi and Tax Assessor John Arthur Wilson. Special thanks to Emerald Downs President Phil Ziegler and Emerald Downs Founder Ron Crockett.
Jungle Party at the Woodland Park Zoo
Last Friday, I attended the Jungle Party at the Woodland Park Zoo, in support of the good work that the Zoo does. Each year, it is very fun for me to visit the Zoo and events like these are always filled with good food and, of course, animals to look at. Here, I am pictured with my husband, Alex Welles.
Last night’s forum on gender-based violence
Last night, I attended a very informative virtual forum on gender-based violence. It was put on by the Spean Rajana cohort (which was co-organized by Emma Catague of the Filipino Community of Seattle) and focused on dismantling gender-based violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Opening remarks were provided by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Lauren Vlas with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (and my former staffer!). If you missed it, the recording is already available online and can be viewed here. I would highly recommend watching this important discussion!
West Seattle and Ballard Link Extension Update
Heads up, the results are in! The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) comment period has concluded. The project received nearly 5,200 comments from Tribes and Tribal organizations, businesses, community and arts organizations, individuals, government agencies and elected officials.
You can read the Draft EIS Agency and Public Comment Summary Report that provides an overview of comment themes along with a report of all the comments received by clicking here.
Also, if you are attending the Ballard Seafood Fest this weekend, Sound Transit will have a booth on both days where you can stop by to get an update on the project timeline and process, ask questions and learn how you can stay engaged.
9-8-8 crisis hotline goes live
The brand new 9-8-8 crisis hotline will officially go live this Saturday. When you dial 988, you will quickly be connected to confidential and free crisis counselor to assist with those experiencing mental health, substance use or suicidal crisis.
If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 or chat 988Lifeline.org.
King County’s Community Compensation Project opportunity
King County is working to become an anti-racist and pro-equity organization. Our teams look to community engagement and co-creation to reach the people most affected by inequality.
Giving expertise and experience in a meaningful and ongoing way is a significant time commitment for residents. As a volunteer, the work being asked, plus relationship-building with local governments, is a lot to do.
These and other barriers create unfair burdens on marginalized residents. They often have fewer resources to dedicate outside their home and work duties. Our teams recognize that community expertise is invaluable, so we should fairly compensate people for their time.
King County's Office of Equity and Social Justice is working with County departments to establish consistent standards for compensating community members who work with our government through volunteer advisory groups.
If you’ve served on a King County advisory group, board, task force or committee then we would like your help!
OESJ be conducting listening sessions to understand the experience of community members who take part in advisory groups. We will also connect with people who have barriers to participation that prevented them from working with us.
If you're interested in joining a listening session, complete a quick Interest Form, and the department will follow up with the details. Language and accessibility options are available. Participants will be paid for their time. All sessions are on Zoom.
The session dates are as follows:
- Wednesday, July 13 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Monday, July 18 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
King Conservation District 2021 Annual Report
Earlier this week the King Conservation District released its annual report for 2021. The year saw the conclusion of a 6-year strategic plan focused on expanding KCD’s programming and efforts in response to essential regional priorities identified by the 2013 Conservation Panel, Task Force, and KCD Advisory Committee, and laid out in KCD’s 2015 ILA with the County. Thanks to those guiding priorities, KCD has grown relationships, partnerships, and investments in equity-focused programming, urban programming, and local food systems. You can read the report by clicking here.
Some upcoming events spotlighted in the district
33rd Annual Seafair Indian Days POWWOW – Remember, Reconnect, Revive
United Indians’ Seafair Indian Days POWWOW is held annually on the third weekend in July (this year from July 15-17), in conjunction with Seattle Seafair, at its POWWOW Grounds adjacent to the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. Attendance over the 3-day event ranges from 7,000-10,000, including visitors, dancers, musicians, vendors and tourists. This proud tradition brings Native Americans of all tribes and cultures together to celebrate. UIATF has held the 3 day long celebration in conjunction with Seafair for the past 30 years.
Ballard Seafood Fest
July 15-17. The Ballard Seafood Fest brings together the best of Ballard, Seattle, and beyond with live music, family fun, local restaurants and vendors, and the best craft beer showcase of any Seattle street fest. Head to NW Market Steet and Ballard Avenue NW for a great time.
Summer at SAM
Summer at SAM, a series of free outdoor events, returns to the Olympic Sculpture Park July 14 through Aug. 20. This is the first time that public programs have been held at the Sculpture Park since early 2020. To celebrate their return, Seattle Art Museum collaborated with community partners to curate activities and performances combining visual art, music, and community. Summer at SAM programs take place every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. They are free, open to the public and for all ages.
King County Fair
July 14-17. The King County Fair is back, and the bovines are divine. The fair is the oldest fair west of the Mississippi River and was founded in 1863, when Abraham Lincoln was president, and The Washington Territory was 26 years from statehood.
King County Farmers Markets
Looking for a way to freshen up your meal? How about a fun summer activity? Need help planning when or where to go? Below is a list of all the farmers markets in King County that you can visit this summer, many of which are in District 4. Farmers Markets are a great opportunity to access fresh locally grown food while having fun. See the list below for market locations and times.
Other items of interest
Interested in joining AmeriCorps this summer?
AmeriCorps is hiring full-time members to join its Construction and Repair teams! As an AmeriCorps member, you will be serving alongside partnering families and engaging the community, while helping build housing that provides people a permanently affordable place to call home. With nearly 50 homes scheduled to be built and 60 to be repaired in the next 12 months, you will help by providing an essential service within the Seattle-King County region. Click here to learn more.
Additional links and info
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here. And you can click here to visit the archive page where you can find all of my previous enews updates.
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