Women’s Equality Day, one week to free transit fares for youth, youth and recreational sports funding, a van for Small Faces, North Seattle College affordable housing, Elections Department nationally recognized, speaking to delegation from India on gender-based violence and human trafficking, and much more…

August 26, 2022

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy Women’s Equality Day! Today is the 102^nd Anniversary of the adoption of the 19^th Amendment “granting” women the right to vote (but didn’t they win it?). However, women of color were not granted that same right until many years later. While it is true that we now have the same right as men to vote in our elections – it’s still challenging for many to vote given the hurdles and other challenges being placed in their way in some states. And then we have the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down Roe v. Wade, not having to do with voting but certainly with what were formerly our Constitutional rights. But today is a day to reflect on the trailblazers and fighters who got us to this point and to be inspired by their courage so we can continue our fight for equality.

Fact! Women in Washington State won the right to vote 10 years before the adoption of the 19^th Amendment. It was the fifth state in the nation to do so. But not women of color till later.

And read below for what’s happening with Covid and Monkeypox as well as on an exciting and important change in transit access for all youth 18 years and younger.

As always, I would like to hear from you. You can call me at 206-477-1004 or you can reach me by email at jeanne.kohl-welles@kingcounty.gov.  

All the best and I hope you are staying safe.

COVID-19 Data Updates

In the last seven day, we’ve seen a 16% decrease in Covid cases and 7% decrease in hospitalizations.  However, even though the weekly average is down, COVID-19 cases in Washington state are higher than the peak of last year's delta wave. So, keep taking necessary precaution to stay safe and limit exposure.

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.

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).

Monkeypox info

Monkeypox in King County continues to increase. As of Wednesday, August 24^th, there are 311 cases in King County. For the most up-to-date data and advice from Public Health – Seattle and King County, visit this page.

As Public Health continues to scale up its response, the Executive has proclaimed this an emergency. An emergency proclamation allows for the suspension of some procurement and contracting requirements so that we can hire staff and enter into contracts for vaccine delivery on a shorter timeline. This emergency proclamation will not bring more vaccine or more resources, but it will allow for a more efficient response. 

The vaccine shortage remains a large hurdle. To date, we have received 9,160 doses. We don’t know what our next shipment will be, and Public Health is in ongoing conversations with the federal government.

Helpful Public Health-related articles

• COVID incubation gets shorter with each new variant, study shows – The Seattle Times
• King County health officials tracking E. coli outbreak with unknown source – KUOW
• Back-to-School and COVID-19: What parents should know – Public Health Insider
• Experts: Parents Shouldn't Panic About Monkeypox As Kids Return to School – KSTW
• WA man hospitalized with tick-borne disease. Here’s how to keep yourself safe – The Seattle Times
• King County health officials in ‘active discussions’ about possible mask mandate – King 5
• Polio childhood vaccine rates have dropped in the US: What parents should know – Today

This week at the King County Council

Full Council

The King County Council met on Tuesday and took up several important pieces of legislation, including an ordinance adopting the Coalition Labor Agreement. The Council also approved new Building and Energy codes. The ordinance prohibits fossil fuel-based (e.g., natural gas) heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in most cases for new and substantially improved commercial buildings, and for multifamily buildings 4 stories or higher. Natural gas would still be allowed in a few situations and would still be allowed for cooking and decorative appliances (e.g., ovens and fireplaces).

A highlight of the day was joining my colleague Councilmember Pete Von Reichbauer in sponsoring a proclamation recognizing August 24 as Ukrainian Independence Day, ironically also the date of six months since the Russian invasion. I was pleased to speak on behalf of the proclamation, especially as I had visited Ukraine in 2007 when I was a speaker at the Global Voices Conference on women and girls in Eurasia at which I spoke on women and leadership and human rights. The Ukrainian people continue to suffer from the brutal onslaught from Russian military advances. However, their courage and spirit in resisting this invasion is inspiring. We must continue to show our support in any way we can to bolster their morale and show that we stand with them in solidarity. You can view the meeting here.

Budget and Fiscal Management Committee

This past Wednesday, the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee acted on two of the executive’s appointments to the King County investment pool advisory committee which will now go on to the full Council for confirmation. The members also discussed a proposed ordinance relating to solid waste fees at Cedar Hills landfill, as well as two others relating to a lease agreement with Ardagh Glass, Inc., as tenant, for County-owned land located at 5245 Ohio Avenue S, 5427 Ohio Avenue S and 5445 Ohio Avenue S, Seattle.

We then acted on a proposed motion acknowledging receipt of the second of three reports on progress addressing the civil and criminal case backlog that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and progress on addressing new eviction cases after the state moratorium is lifted. Finally, we acted passed a proposed ordinance relating to the relinquishment of the easement located at 41200 US Forest Service 212 RD, King County, Washington. You can view the meeting here.

Local Services and Land Use Committee

In this past Tuesday’s meeting of the Local Services and Land Use Committee, members voted unanimously in giving a do-pass recommendation to the full Council on two proposed ordinances relating to the withdrawal of approximately 27 acres of land from the Sammamish Plateau water and sewer district to be added to the City of Issaquah for the purpose of sewer service. The committee also unanimously acted on several proposed motions to go forward to the full Council: acknowledging receipt of the Townhouse Accessory Dwelling Unit Analysis report, approving the North Highline urban design implementation strategies study, acknowledging receipt of the Tenant Protection Access Plan, acknowledging receipt of the Landlord Outreach Plan, approving the 2022 King County Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Report for transmittal to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and acknowledging receipt of the Fairwood Golf & Country Club flooding report. The committee also unanimously gave a do-pass recommendation on a proposed ordinance revising the corporate boundary of the city of Enumclaw to include the unincorporated portion of Southeast 448th Street right-of-way. You can watch the video of the meeting here.

King County Forecast Council

Members of the Forecast Council met today to approve the July revenue forecast which is the last of three forecasts to be approved for the year and is the forecast that we base much of our work on the upcoming 2023-2024 biennial budget. As a member of the Council, I voted affirmatively. Overall, we’re doing well at the County. You can access the meeting materials and review the forecast numbers by clicking here.

Next week at the King County Council

The meetings are limited this coming week as it is the fifth week of the month. As such, there is only one meeting scheduled for next week.

Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee

On Tuesday, August 30^th at 9:30 a.m., a special meeting of the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee will have two briefings, one from the King County Superior Court on the implementation of state legislation regarding civil protection orders, and the second from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention Director-designee Allen Nance on the topic of in-custody suicides and his vision for DAJD. The committee will also consider three proposed motions on the topics of restricted confinement of juveniles, a public safety summit, and a community-based countywide hate crime hotline and awareness campaign. For information on how to call in, or to access the agenda, click here.

Other King County related news

One week to go until free youth fare kicks in

Yesterday I attended a very exciting event to kick off the one-week countdown to the Free Youth Transit Pass. Beginning September 1, riders 18 and younger can ride for free on transit systems in some parts of the state and throughout King County, including on our Metro buses, water taxis, Access paratransit and on-demand services, Sound Transit buses and Link light rail, and Seattle Streetcar. Also covered are Pierce Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, and Snoqualmie Valley Transit.

King County will also join regional transit agencies in lowering ORCA LIFT fares to $1.

By adopting a year-round zero youth fare policy, King County Metro and other agencies across the state are providing young people access to the region’s innovative, integrated network of public transportation, expanding opportunity, and providing more equitable access.

I’m very excited today for the youth of King County who will now be able to ride transit for free. Not only will this alleviate the financial burden for some youth riders, but it will also help encourage the development of lifelong transit riders and create opportunities for youth to travel around the county in safe and accessible ways. I was very pleased to cosponsor the legislation along with Councilmembers Dave Upthegrove (lead sponsor), Girmay Zahilay, Claudia Balducci, Rod Dembowski and Sarah Perry. All aboard! 

You can learn more by clicking here.

Another all aboard! Van delivered to Small Faces in Crown Hill

Last week I was pleased to pay a visit to Small Faces Child Development Center in Crown Hill and meet with Executive Director, Johnny Otto. Here we are pictured with a van I was able to donate to this wonderful organization from the Metro retired vans program this year. While speaking with Johnny, he let me know that even though they have had the van for just a little over a month, they have put it to some great use and that it has allowed them to safely transport the children they serve. No doubt this retired metro van will provide very needed assistance to this outstanding organization. These vans are a terrific and concrete example of how the county can have a positive impact on non-profit organizations and the communities they serve.

Small Faces provides preschool and school age children (2.5 – 12 years old) with a space where their physical, social, emotional, and intellectual skills are honored and nurtured. Children are encouraged to honor diversity and respect their environment both within families and their community. I am glad to have them in my district and always enjoy chatting with Johnny to hear about all the fabulous work they are doing.

Best Starts for Kids funding opportunity 

Heads up! Best Starts for Kids Communities of Opportunity (COO) Place-Based and Cultural Communities Partnerships request for proposals (RFP) is now open! Best Starts for Kids is a King County voter-approved initiative to support every baby born or child raised in King County to reach adulthood happy, healthy, safe, and thriving.

COO will invest in community partnerships that are working to improve community conditions in health and well-being through building community power and creating structural change. Investments will support community partnerships rooted in place/geography and/or cultural communities with a shared agenda that focuses on the root causes of inequities, who are implementing strategies that contribute to better community health, safe and affordable housing, greater economic opportunity, and strong community connections. 

Click here to view the full funding opportunity details and apply.

This funding opportunity closes on Tuesday, October 11 at 2PM, please submit your application by then.

Improved access to sports and recreation for youth of color

On Tuesday, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced $4.6 million in Youth Sports and Outdoor Recreation Relief funding – including a substantial boost from federal COVID-19 recovery aid – to improve access to sports and recreation for youth of color following extensive community-based review that helped focus investments on racial equity.

A total of 45 organization will receive funding based on a comprehensive community review process designed to promote equitable access to sports and recreation. King County Parks partnered with the King County Play Equity Coalition and 50 independent community reviewers to evaluate proposals, applying the principles of racial equity. You can read more here.

In my role as King County Councilmember, I have also allocated Youth and Amateur Sports Grants that benefit people from all walks of life throughout District Four. It is critical that we continue to fund opportunities for children and youth that create capabilities and uplift our most vulnerable communities.  

Here is the list of awardees that serve youth around Seattle and right here in District Four:

• Associated Recreation Council
• Shunpike Arts Collective dba Capoeira Life
• South Shore School PTSA
• Sports in Schools
• Ta'alem Community Center
• Urban Native Education Alliance

Court releases report on innovative business operations, lessons learned from COVID-19

Late last week, the King County Superior Court released a report on innovative business operations and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, “The Response of the King County Superior Court to the COVID-19 Pandemic:  Lessons Learned and Recommendations.” 

Funded by the State Justice Institute and led by PRAXIS consultant Dr. Brenda Wagenknecht-Ivey, the report represents an 18-month assessment of the court’s operations during the pandemic, including a summary of new practices implemented, internal assessment of the impact of those practices, and outreach to stakeholders for their evaluation of selected practices and whether they should be continued as part of the court’s permanent business model. The Court is committed to utilizing court experts like Dr. Wagenknecht-Ivey to effectively assess its court operations and business practices.  

You can access the report and executive summary via the following links:

• Full Report: https://kingcounty.gov/~/media/courts/superior-court/docs/KCSC-Covid19-Response-Report_SJI-21-P-002.ashx?la=en
• Executive Summary:  https://kingcounty.gov/superior-court/covid19-response

New King County district map with portraits available

Have you ever wondered who represents each council district in King County? Here is a helpful map that puts a face to the place. Keep in mind, this is not an official Elections Department map. For official maps, go here: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections/elections/maps.aspx.

King County Elections Nationally Recognized

King County Elections (KCE) was honored by the Election Center, the National Association of Election Officials, in the organization’s annual Professional Practice Paper Awards for 2022. The Election Center’s Professional Practices Program is a celebration of best practices from small, medium, and large jurisdictions around the country and the U.S. Territories. This year, KCE joins officials from California, Ohio, Missouri, and Colorado in being recognized.

KCE’s close partnership with both major political parties to double the number of trained observers in the election facility earned the Guardian Award for exemplifying the Election Center’s Principles and Standards of Conduct. KCE provides observers with robust training and in-the-field guidance, providing greater transparency in elections.

For the second year in a row, KCE earned the Eagles Award for innovative use of technology. After being honored last year for utilizing a custom-built app suite to manage and track ballot collection from each of our ballot drop box locations, this year KCE was recognized for permanently shifting many essential elements of election administration to virtual processes.

Led by Director Julie Wise, King County Elections conducts accessible, secure, and accurate elections for nearly 1.4 million voters. Home to one-third of Washington State’s voters, King County was the largest vote-by-mail jurisdiction in the world for many years prior to more widespread adoption in 2020.

Megan Pedersen appointed as temporary Special Deputy to support implementation of crucial improvements inside King County correctional facilities

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today the appointment of Megan Pedersen to serve as a temporary Special Deputy to the Executive to support King County correctional facilities. The appointment is in response to the ongoing impacts COVID-19 has had on both those in custody and the staff in these facilities, as well as recent tragic suicide incidents. Pedersen will provide additional support to leadership as many operational, staffing, and well-being improvements continue to be implemented that impact multiple departments. Pedersen, who currently serves as the Director of the Office of Labor Relations, will step into this role effective immediately. Click here to learn more.

Other news

Gender-based violence and human trafficking

Today I spoke with a delegation of five professionals from India about our accomplishments in fighting human trafficking in Washington State and King County. They are here under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Their program was arranged by the American Councils for International Education. I have spoken to other international groups over many years with the World Affairs Council of Seattle. Their interpreter was very helpful.

The Virginia V steams forward

Visiting the Virginia V while in drydock

Last November in the mid-biennial supplemental budget, I secured $250,000 to support the restoration and preservation of the only remaining steam ship in Puget Sound, the National Historic Landmark vessel S.S. VIRGINIA V. Back then, this wonderful “Mosquito Fleet” vessel was still in drydock and in need of funding for serious hull repairs. After 18 months in the shipyard, the ship successfully was launched right around the beginning of July and passed its Coast Guard inspections. It’s perfect timing, as the Virginia V is celebrating its centennial with 100 years sailing on the waters of Puget Sound!

The Steamer Virginia V has had a busy first season back in the water. So far this summer, the ship has welcomed back hundreds of passengers aboard several public cruises as well as on charter voyages, and also has welcomed visitors aboard for free tours at its dock at Lake Union Park. The Steamer Virginia V Foundation currently trains three high school students as maritime interns on the ship, providing hands-on experience learning to operate the ship both as deck crew and on the engineering team. Dozens of volunteers have returned to the crew, rebuilding the ship’s operational capacity.

Over Labor Day weekend the ship will be heading to Olympia for the Harbor Days festival and will welcome the public for several cruises and dockside tours. As for the centennial, the foundation will host several celebrations spread out over the year, so look for announcements on the Foundation’s website. The first major event occurred on Vashon Island as the Steamer Virginia V Foundation's senior docent Ed Brown gave a public presentation about the history of the ship as part of Vashon Heritage Museum's speaker series earlier in August. The museum is hosting an exhibit through October, "Virginia V, 100 Years in Service," about the connections between Vashon and Virginia V featuring a never before seen elaborate model of the ship.

For more news coverage of the Steamer Virginia V, you can read this article from The Seattle Times, or find a more in-depth version of the same article here on Paul Dorpat's Now and Then website.

Other press coverage included a gorgeous feature article in the May issue of Northwest Yachting Magazine, as well as a wonderful story about the centennial in the Kitsap Sun on the actual 100th anniversary of the ship's maiden voyage.

I am proud to be a part of the community support which has kept the Virginia V steaming after 100 years, maintaining the Foundation’s mission of preserving, operating and interpreting the last remaining wood steamer of the Mosquito Fleet.  

New exhibit at the Woodland Park Zoo

I thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the Woodland Park Zoo this week with current and former board members (I serve as ex-officio member of the Zoo Board) for a sneak preview of what will be the lynx exhibit which will be part of the exciting new Living Northwest Exhibit. I’m pictured above with Larry Phillips, Kenneth Eakes, Pamela Eakes, and Kathryn Williams. Stay tuned!

North Seattle College affordable housing project

North Seattle College has announced a plan to develop an affordable housing project on its campus that will have about 200 units. The plan is still in the preliminary phases of development, but it will be a great opportunity for low-income students to find affordable housing. I was pleased to work with then-House Speaker Frank Chopp to secure preliminary funding for the project in the county’s 2019-2020 biennial budget.

You can read more about this project as reported in The Seattle Times.

Additional helpful and informative links

• More delays for light rail to Bellevue, Redmond, Federal Way, Lynnwood – The Seattle Times
• The state of downtown: How does Seattle compare with other big cities? – The Seattle Times
• How Washington gun control laws compare to other states – Crosscut
• Calculate how much of your student loan debt can be forgiven – The Washington Post
• What You Need to Know About Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan – The New York Times
• King County holds indigent burial ceremony – King 5

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.