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Local Services
How is your business doing?
Attention business owners in unincorporated parts of King County: did your business seek and receive business grants, technical assistance, or other support in the past two years? How would you rate its condition now?
Local Services invites you to complete a 10-minute Unincorporated King County Business Survey by 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18. The information you provide will help the county develop services and programs to support businesses like yours.
Learn more on the King County Local blog.
Photo: Nevzat Cankaya makes espresso in his drive-through stand in Skyway.
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There’s still time to apply for Alan M. Painter grants
The Alan M. Painter grants fund community projects that allow residents of unincorporated King County to participate in, and be more connected to, their communities.
Funded projects must show how they are accessible to all residents regardless of race, income, or language spoken. The funds may not be used for political activities.
A total of $90,000 will be reimbursed for projects in 2023, in individual grants of less than $5,000 per project. Funding for projects will begin in March 2023.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 2.
Find details about this year’s program and how to apply on the Local Services website. Information and applications are available in English and Spanish (and in other languages and formats on request).
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Road Services
Warm weather extended the 2022 paving season
Road Services took advantage of unusually sunny fall weather to repave a mile of SE Middle Fork Road, near Mailbox Peak.
This photo was taken on Oct. 19!
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Road Maintenance employees donate more than 2 tons of food
Photo: Employees gathered at the Renton Maintenance Facility for the final food donation weigh-in on Oct. 27.
As part of King County's annual Employee Giving Program, Road Services' Maintenance Section workers donated more than two tons of food to Food Lifeline—and nearly 400 pounds of pet food to Regional Animal Services of King County, where it will feed pets waiting for adoption.
The donations were gathered in just three weeks (Oct. 5-27), with a friendly competition among the Maintenance Section's 15 work units. The winning team, based in the Redmond area, collected 1,325 pounds of food to win the coveted prize: a pizza party.
Executive Services
Lost a pet? Found a stray? RASKC can help!
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a pet will manage to escape their home or yard. If that happens to you, Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) can help. Visit kingcounty.gov/LostAPet to add your pet's information to the county's database and learn about other resources for finding your missing pet. You'll be notified by email if an animal matching your pet’s description is picked up by RASKC's animal control officers or added to their database.
In many cases, a missing pet doesn't wander too far from their home. If you find a stray pet in your neighborhood, go to kingcounty.gov/FoundAPet to add the animal's information to our database and get tips for reuniting the pet with their owner.
For more help with lost or found pets, call 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email LostPets@kingcounty.gov.
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King County Records and Licensing Services is moving
King County Records and Licensing Services is moving to the King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson Street, in Pioneer Square.
If you have documents to record (marriage licenses, real estate deeds, mortgages, etc.), need to apply for a marriage license, or need to pay real estate excise taxes, plan ahead. Due to the move, the Recorder’s Office will be minimally staffed on weekdays from November 14 to November 25.
The Licensing Services Office expects minor services delays during the move. Licensing Services include Taxi, For-Hire and Transportation Network Companies and Vehicle and Vessel Licensing,
Here are some tips for doing business with King County Records and Licensing Services during the move:
Consider doing your business before Nov. 10 or after Nov. 25, and plan for possible delays. The best way to do business with Records and Licensing is online.
For vehicle and vessel licensing needs (tabs, titles, etc.), consider visiting one of the 21 conveniently located Local Licensing Offices.
The drop box at the Administration Building (500 Fourth Avenue) will close permanently on Nov. 14. The new drop box will be open starting Nov. 21 at 201 S. Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104 (on the King Street side of the building between the Metro Pass Sales office and the building entrance).
Do not mail physical documents to Records and Licensing between Nov. 14 and Nov. 25. Starting Nov. 28, physical records can be received by U.S. mail at:
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King County Recorder’s Office
King Street Center
201 S. Jackson Street
M/S KSC-ES-0204
Seattle, WA 98104
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King County Licensing Office
King Street Center
201 S. Jackson Street
M/S KSC-ES-0206
Seattle, WA 98104
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Services will continue to be provided online and via U.S. mail until the grand re-opening in January 2023. Learn more on the Records and Licensing Services website.
King County International Airport wants to hear from you
Public Input is important to King County International Airport’s future. Vision 2045, the airport's FAA Master Plan, is a long-range plan that will help the airport become world-class. It will include a noise study and will tell the county which construction projects, infrastructure, and other updates to prioritize and fund in the coming decades.
The airport will start working on Vision 2045 next year, and would like you to be involved, to help make sure the plan is equitable, sustainable, and data-driven. The county also wants your thoughts about how to choose a new location for the airport's fuel farm.
Learn more and take a brief survey by November 15.
Get ready for winter weather
Prepare your car and home before winter arrives with more rain, lower temperatures, black ice, and possibly snow.
Are you planning to travel this winter? Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Keep a full tank of gas. Here are some resources to get your vehicle ready and preparedness tips for storms and winter weather hazards:
• TakeWinterbyStorm.org
• Tips on car preparedness
• Mountain passes report (Washington State Department of Transportation)
Is your home ready? It's important to winterize outdoor faucets and clean your gutters. Keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Here are some resources to get your home ready for winter:
• Essential questions to ask
• Steps to take before and during winter and what to do if your water pipes freeze
More winter weather resources:
Be #KingCountyReady and visit makeitthrough.org for preparedness materials in English and four other languages.
Natural Resources and Parks
Volunteer to help out at a park near you
Together with its partners, King County's Department of Natural Resources and Parks leads an average of 10,000 volunteers each year working on restoration, park improvement, and trail building and maintenance. Environmental education is woven into every event, making for a rewarding and productive day in the park. Learn more about the program and upcoming opportunities to volunteer on the county website.
King County Parks launches Mobile Engagement Team
This past summer, King County Parks launched its Mobile Engagement Team with a small group of college interns from the University of Washington. They greeted park visitors at a mobile welcome desk, handing out swag and information—including brochures about other King County parks and trails.
Photo: Left to right: UW interns Michelle Pollowitz and Jaykub Rafael, Parks staffer David Lee, and UW intern Nathan Frarck greet visitors at White Center Heights Park.
The team also collected public feedback on potential park improvements at Skyway Park, Five Mile Lake, Lake Geneva, South County Ballfields, and White Center parks. They surveyed visitors for the Solar Lighting Project, collecting data that may help King County Parks decide where to add lighting around picnic shelters and pathways in South King County parks.
If you see them at your local park, be sure to stop and say hello!
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First set of Skyway Park improvements is finished
King County Parks celebrated the end of construction on major updates to Skyway Park with a community reopening on October 9.
Photo: (Left to right) Parks director Warren Jimenez, King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay, and King County Executive Dow Constantine tested out the Skyway Park multi-sport court with representatives from the Seattle Kraken.
Others present included the Honorable Richard A. Jones and Mari Horita from One Roof Foundation, Rebecca Berry from Skyway Coalition, and community members.
The White Center Teen Program coordinated a variety of interactive games, activities, and information tables, while the Mobile Engagement Team and Volunteer Program were on hand to welcome and connect with park visitors.
King County Parks met with community members from 2015 to 2021 on proposed park updates, gathering feedback about the project through strategy meetings with the West Hill Community Association and Skyway Solutions, a community park tour, a series of public meetings, and ongoing collaboration with Skyway Coalition. And even more improvements to the park are coming by January 2023.
Learn more about the Skyway Park improvements project
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New solid waste disposal rate supports essential services, investment in climate neutrality
Low-income discount increases for qualified individuals
Beginning January 1, 2023, King County's Solid Waste Division will enact a rate adjustment of 9.6% for solid waste disposal, an estimated $0.79 increase to monthly residential curbside collection bills. The new rate was approved unanimously by the King County Council on September 13.
New minimum fees will change to $26.98 per vehicle and $168.68 per ton. Yard and wood waste fees will also increase to $115 per ton. At the same time, discounts for qualifying low-income customers will rise from $14 to $15.
Revenue from the 2023 rate will allow the Solid Waste Division to continue essential services and avoid drastic cuts to vital programs and services while supporting capital projects and programs crucial to environmental progress on climate change mitigation, recycling, and waste reduction efforts.
The new rate supports the division's goal of climate neutrality by 2025 by strengthening commitments to resource recovery and green innovations such as electric trucks, renewable diesel and other low-emission technology, and by continuing to harness landfill gas as a source of renewable energy.
Learn more on the King County Solid Waste Division website or call 206-477-4466.
Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County news
Snoqualmie Valley/NE King County Subarea Plan update
County planners are now reviewing a vision, guiding principles, and overall policy scope for the subarea plan based on the input received from the community so far. They'll use these to draft the plan and associated zoning and map amendments.
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Greater Maple Valley news
Annual model train show was held Oct. 15-16
The Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council held its Annual Model Train Show in mid-October at Gracie Hansen Community Center in Ravensdale. More than 700 people came, from as far away as Mount Vernon. Twelve train clubs and the Tahoma High School Robotics Team brought displays to share. The Black Diamond Historical Society display depicted the times of coal mining and local areas of development.
Plans for the 2023 show include encouraging other Unincorporated Area councils and associations to participate.
—Submitted by Peter Rimbos, Corresponding Secretary, Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council
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Rural Area news
Unincorporated Area councils, associations, and organizations
Joint Rural Area Team
The Joint Team of 10 Rural Area Unincorporated Area councils and associations is participating in major aspects of the 2024 King County Comprehensive Plan Major Update. On September 3, the Joint Team submitted to Comprehensive Plan Manager Chris Jensen its first set of proposed changes, around Rural Area and Natural Resource Lands. These proposals address rural densities and development—specifically nonresidential uses, rural public facilities and services, and rural commercial centers—specifically non-resource industrial uses and development standards. The Joint Team is continuing to work on the update in several other areas, and will soon propose more changes to King County Code and/or King County Comprehensive Plan Policies.
—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
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 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, Nov. 7, 7-9:30 p.m. — in person or via Zoom
King County Sheriff's Precinct #3
22300 SE 231st Street, Maple Valley (across from the fire station)
The guest speaker will be King County Assessor Dwight Dively of the King County Executive's Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget. Dively will talk about the county's proposed 2023-2024 budget. Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meetings. An agenda 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. They 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
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
For information, call Nancy Stafford at 425-788-5841 or visit the Facebook page.
:: Vashon Chamber of Commerce
Contact: discover@vashonchamber.com.
:: Vashon-Maury Island Community Council
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
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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