Quote of the Week
“If life were predictable it would cease to be life and be without flavor.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
 Food insecurity and the social, economic, and overall health impacts of COVID-19
Public Health – Seattle & King County has published overall health impacts of COVID-19. Below are some highlights.
Food insecurity:
Percent of adults in households with children in the King-Pierce-Snohomish County area who sometimes or often did not have enough to eat in the past 7 days
 Economic:
Housing needs continue to be the leading reason for calls to 2-1-1
Almost 1 in 5 renters in the King-Pierce-Snohomish County area reported their monthly rent increasing $250 or more in the last 12 months.
Social:
Slight increase in number of calls to the National Domestic Violence (DV) Hotline among King County residents
Rate of Emergency Department (ED) visits involving Domestic Violence (DV) holding steady
Health:
Medicaid enrollment continues to increase
Low percentage of adults uninsured in the King-Snohomish-Pierce County area
COVID resources
Please continue to exercise caution throughout each day to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe. 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. And you can also view the most recent statewide COVID-19 data from the state Department of Health (DOH).
If you’ve waited to get your COVID-19 booster, now is the time to get it! COVID-19 vaccine and boosters are FREE. No health insurance or proof of citizenship is needed. Check your local pharmacy or contact your healthcare provider to see if they have the updated booster shots. For more information and locations: kingcounty.gov/vaccine
People over age 50 are at the greatest risk for both hospitalization and death. Many don’t know that the updated COVID booster shot offers better protection against Omicron variants that are spreading. See the flyer below for information on how to schedule a vaccination appointment before the holidays.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in young children. Public Health – Seattle & King County has provided a fact sheet for parents to see assess their child’s symptoms, learn risk factors and treatments, and instructions on how to reduce its spread. For the latest RSV research and surveillance, click here.
Helpful Public Health-related articles
Local health officers and health care leaders recommend wearing masks indoors – Public Health – Seattle & King County (New as of today)
Dealing with the flu or a cold? You’re not alone. Here’s what we know – The Seattle Times
Ongoing rise in fentanyl deaths highlights need for treatment alternatives – KUOW
Pfizer asks FDA to clear updated COVID shot for kids under 5 – AP News
Covid hospitalizations rising post-Thanksgiving after an autumn lull – The Washington Post
U.S. COVID trials under-enrolled women, Black and Asian people, Fred Hutch study says – The Seattle Times
You’ve got COVID — but what are the rules these days? – The Seattle Times
Why people over age 50 should get an updated COVID-19 booster before the holidays – Public Health Insider
FDA clears updated COVID-19 vaccines for kids under age 5 – AP News
 Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
The Budget and Fiscal Management Committee held a special all-remote meeting on Monday. The committee discussed the third of three reports on progress addressing the civil and criminal case backlog that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as an ordinance relating to the 2022 levy of property taxes in King County for collection in the year 2023. The committee also took action on the supplemental appropriation of $8.8M to general fund agencies, $7.1M to non-general fund agencies, and $8.9M from various capital fund budgets. For a recording of this meeting and its materials, click here.
Full Council
The King County Council met on Tuesday at which the Council took action on several ordinances and motions. For meeting materials, click here.
King County Council Holiday Party
Here I’m pictured at the event with my husband, Alex Welles. Photo was taken by Councilmember Rod Dembowski.
On Tuesday, the King County Council held the first branch Holiday Party in three years. It was lovely to chat with colleagues and friends in person after such a long time away.
Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee
The Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee met on Tuesday. The committee took action on motions concerning the confirmation of several of the Executive’s appointments to the King County Public Defense Advisory Board and approved a report on the Best Starts for Kids Levy. For a recording of this meeting and its materials, click here.
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole, which I chair, met on Wednesday. The committee received two briefings: one on COVID response, and the second on Harborview Medical Center’s request to waive its fees owed to the County. The committee took action on proposed ordinances adopting the King County 2022‑2025 Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Plan and the sale of environmental attributes held by the county, and a motion confirming the Executive's appointment to the King County Board of Ethics. For a recording of this meeting and its materials, click here.
Regional Policy Committee
The Regional Policy Committee met on Wednesday. The committee discussed a proposed ordinance concerning a property tax levy for regional behavioral health services and capital facilities to establish and operate a regional network of behavioral health crisis care centers; to preserve, expand and maintain residential treatment facilities; to provide behavioral health workforce supports; to provide mobile crisis care and post-discharge stabilization; and for administration, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of levy activities. For a recording of this meeting and its materials, click here.
 Government Accountability and Oversight Committee
The Government Accountability and Oversight Committee will meet on Tuesday, December 13th at 9:30 a.m. The committee will receive several briefings from the King County Auditor’s Office regarding alternatives to incarceration, courthouse security screenings, and contingent workers. The committee will also be briefed on information concerning combined compensation adjustments from the King County Department of Human Resources. The committee will then discuss possible action on a motion confirming an Executive appointment to the King County Library System Board of Trustees and a motion related to council adoption of the King County Auditor's Office Work Program 2023‑2024. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.
Full Council
 The Council will meet on Tuesday, December 13th at 1:00 p.m. The council will present two recognitions, the first to the Pacific Northwest Ballet upon its 50th anniversary season, and the second to Iranian women in their quest for freedom. The council will also discuss an ordinance authorizing the use of an interlocal agreement template for city entities seeking to enter into an agreement for jail services with King County, as well as an ordinance adopting the King County 2022-2025 Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Plan. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.
This meeting will be the last meeting of the year prior to Council Recess beginning on December 14th and lasting through December. It will also be the last meeting chaired by CM Claudia Balducci, who has served as Council Chair for three years. She was truly exemplary is leading the council through this tremendously challenging time of the COVID Pandemic and making sure we survived! More to come on her tenure.
Flood Control District
The Flood Control District Board of Supervisors will meet on Tuesday, December 13th immediately following the conclusion of the council meeting. When available, the meeting agenda can be found here.
 King County Behavioral Health Legislative Forum cancelled
The Department of Community and Human Services made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Behavioral Health Legislative Forum due to technical challenges with the planned virtual event platform which could not be resolved in time for the event. King County plans to host an alternate virtual conversation about the region’s behavioral health needs in early January, for which more information is soon to come.
Some Metro bus trips canceled after vehicle issue identified / Prepare for winter weather transit
King County Metro recently uncovered a manufacturing issue on a number of its New Flyer models which it expects to cause increased cancellations. Metro is delivering about 90% of its typical 11,000 weekday trips and temporarily suspended 19 bus routes. Currently, Metro is urging customers to use available transit tools listed here to help navigate their trips as this issue is being resolved.
- Use “Text for Departure” by texting your bus stop number to 62550. You will receive a text with the next departure times and/or canceled trips at that stop.
- Sign up for Transit Alerts via email or text.
- On Twitter, follow @kcmetroalerts for route alerts, cancellations, and delays.Follow @KingCountyMetro for general information.
- Visit TripPlanner.kingcounty.gov and/or use other map apps (e.g., Bing Maps, Google Maps, One Bus Away, etc.)
For more information, click here.
King County Metro also wants to help you prepare for winter weather transit. Use the travel tools below to help ensure that you get where you need to be!
- If snow routes are activated, updates will be posted for affected routes on our Snow, Ice and Flood Map found on MetroWinter.com.
- Sign up for Transit Alerts via email or text.
- If you need help trip planning, Metro’s customer service office is available 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at 206-553-3000.
King County celebrates refugee resettlement efforts helping nearly 800 refugees in the region
In collaboration with the state, the City of Redmond, and community partners, King County is celebrating the year-long refugee resettlement program for individuals and families coming to the region and the nearly 800 new neighbors who benefitted from the program. In October of last year, King County welcomed the first 130 refugees to arrive in Federal Way and in April, the program moved operations to the Redmond Health Through Housing building and welcomed guests from May through December. After a year of many successful permanent housing assignments and community building, the program is now set to close at the end of the month. For more information, click here.
Dan Satterberg Day on December 6th
On Tuesday, King County Prosecuting Attorney received his own day on December 6th in the county. This day recognized his 37 years in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, with the last 15 as the elected prosecuting attorney. It was a pleasure to stop by this commemoration of Dan’s special day as his retirement approaches. To read more, click here. To watch a recording of the ceremony, click here.
Awardees for the Best Starts for Kids’ Lactation and Perinatal Support Services RFP
Awardees have been chosen for funding from the Best Starts for Kids’ Lactation and Perinatal Support Services RFP. This program aims to work with community-based organizations to provide culturally-relevant education and support to help families have a healthy pregnancy, healthy delivery, and a successful first year. The program focuses specifically on serving King County populations with disproportionate adverse maternal and infant health outcomes; the Indigenous, Black, African American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Latinx populations. Awardees of this strategy include Open Arms Perinatal Services, Global Perinatal Services, Center for Indigenous Midwifery, and Pacific Islander Health Board of Washington.
 Port Townsend recognizes rights of endangered Southern Resident Orcas
On Monday, Jefferson County’s City of Port Townsend made history in proclaiming that southern resident orcas have legal rights. Mayor David J. Faber declared that these southern resident orcas maintain the right to “life, autonomy, culture, free and safe passage, adequate food supply from naturally occurring sources, and freedom from conditions causing physical, emotional or mental harm, including a habitat degraded by noise, pollution and contamination.” The resolution further recognized that current legal protections for the whales are entirely inadequate. Read more about this historic proclamation here.
This news comes at a remarkably fortuitous time, as last month we received the report on a study for which I secured funding in the 2019-2020 King County Budget. The study investigated the impact wastewater effluent has on marine life in the Puget Sound, including on Southern Resident Orcas. The study was designed to determine whether undiluted wastewater effluent represents a toxic influence on Puget Sound marine organisms, including Orcas, and the food chain of marine species on which these whales depend on for food, primarily Chinook Salmon. There had been some pandemic-related delays, but the report was finally transmitted to Council at the end of November. My staff is currently in the process of reviewing the report. It is likely the report will be briefed in the Regional Water Quality Committee and/or another standing committee sometime next year. Read more information about the study here.
West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions Open House
Join Sound Transit in attending a two-part engagement series in December at which attendees can learn the latest on the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extension project and provide feedback on new concepts under study in Interbay and Ballard. The Interbay/Ballard Open House will be held on Monday, December 12th, at 6:30 p.m. The second part of the engagement series will take place on January 11th, 2023, with more information to come. Learn more here.
Also, on Wednesday, December 14th at 11:30 a.m., Sound Transit will be holding CID Workshop #3, where they will build on the feedback and questions received at Workshops #1 and #2. This upcoming workshop will continue the discussion with a focus on key issues, sharing share the latest about the options for further study, problem solving around key issues for each option, and exploring potential mitigation measures. More information about this workshop will be available on the Sound Transit website soon.
Celebrate Virginia V's 100th birthday
The Virginia V is one of two last operational examples of Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet steamers, once part of a large fleet of small passenger and freight carrying ships in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Join friends, supporters, and volunteers this evening for a holiday party and 100th birthday party for the ship from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at her home berth at Lake Union Park, docked on the south shore of Lake Union, just behind MOHAI and the historic Carroll's Jewelers clock. Get directions here. There will be cake and hot beverages, a no-host bar, and some great merchandise to sell in case you still have some gift purchases to make for the holidays. I was pleased to secure some County funding last year for the ship’s repair work.
South Lake Union Winter Market
Today, December 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., visit the South Lake Union Winter Market which promises to showcase dozens of vendors. There is so much to see during this exciting event, including food, housewares, jewelry, toys, clothing, ceramics, art, and more! Learn more here.
NORA Holiday Weekend Event
The NORA Holiday Weekend Event will be open tonight from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Head to Pilgrim Coffeehouse for live music from: Mr. Teacher Band, Italia Ayala & Tyler Stenson. Scoobie Dogs will be selling their awesome food and For North Seattle will have sugar cookies to decorate!
On Saturday, December 10th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., the Maker's Market will return with over 20 vendors. There will also be Christmas-style games for kids, free wood ornaments to decorate, and incredible local goods for holiday presents. Learn more here.
Trollstice Holiday Market
On Saturday, December 11th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., check out the Trollstice Holiday Market underneath the Fremont Bridge! This market can satisfy all your holiday shopping needs, featuring over 65 makers, vintage vendors, a DJ, food trucks, and more. Learn more here.
Dogs and Nogs Party
On Friday, December 16th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., bring your well-behaved pets by the Dogs and Nogs Party at the Greenwood Senior Center for a dog-friendly holiday party. There will be eggnog, treats, a photographer, decorations, and Santa and Mrs. Claus! Call to RSVP to 206.297.0875. Learn more here.
Ice Skating Rink in Occidental Square
The Occidental Square pop-up outdoor rink will be open for free ice-skating beginning December 9th at 11:00 a.m. and will close on December 11th at 5:00 p.m. Skaters of all ages and skill levels are welcome. In addition, seasonal activities are planned for each day. Learn more here.
 A visit to BloodWorks Northwest blood drive at Downtown Cornerstone Church
I spoke with Pastor Justin Keogh of Downtown Cornerstone Church during my visit to the BloodWorks Northwest blood drive.
On Wednesday, I visited Downtown Cornerstone Church for a blood drive hosted by BloodWorks Northwest. I spoke with Pastor Justin Keogh about the event, his community, and the many community members to turned out to donate blood. Wednesday’s donations helped with the important work of supporting people in emergency situations, those undergoing various cancer treatments, and those under chronic conditions.
 Donate hats, socks, thermal tops and bottoms, scarves, gloves, earmuffs, blankets, hand warmers and new or unused coats.
Catholic Community Services is a faith-based organization helping adults and families. To schedule a drop-off or to learn more, contact Ajanae Reed at areed@ccsww.org or 206-406-3117.
Donate gift cards or purchase wish-list-items for clients of Mary’s Place.
Mary’s Place provides safe, inclusive shelter and services that support women, children and families on their journey out of homelessness. Find details about holiday giving opportunities here.
Donate gift cards or purchase wish-list-items for clients of Compass Housing Alliance.
Compass Housing Alliance provides affordable housing and homeless emergency services. Find details about holiday giving opportunities here.
Donate needed winter weather gear including men’s warm outerwear covering a range of sizes, hats, gloves, scarves, new socks and underwear, sleeping bags and tents.
The Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) is one of Seattle’s largest homeless service providers. To set up a donation drop off, contact donations@desc.org
Donate gift cards or cold weather items including new or gently used winter boots in all sizes, gloves, coats, winter socks and hand warmers.
The Sophia Way supports women experiencing homelessness by offering support and shelter. Find details about holiday giving opportunities here.
Help homeless men this holiday season
Share Joy this holiday season and help men experiencing homelessness. There are many ways to get involved, including donating meals, cooking meals, buying shelter essentials, hosting a drive, or giving a gift card. Share joy here!
A moment of inspiration
Alem Birhan Taye is a custodian at Lumen Field. The 71-year-old immigrated from Ethiopia to the United States in 2012 without speaking any English but determined to support and care for his family. The Asian Counseling and Referral Service made an incredible difference, as its Ready to Work program gave him the language and job skills needed to secure employment. After holding a green card for years, Taye gained his citizenship in 2018, as the non-profit helped him through the complicated paperwork and bureaucracy of the U.S. immigration system. Read the full story from The Seattle Times here.
Helpful and informative links
Which WA counties saw highest voter turnout in 2022 midterm election? – The Seattle Times
Good News for Apartment Dwellers—Seattle Rents Keep Falling – The Seattle Met
Shelved since 2018, this WA gun law may finally be implemented soon – Crosscut
Seattle is bringing back late fees for parking and traffic tickets – KUOW
Podcast: New Bodycam Policies for The King County Sheriff’s Office – Seattle Medium
Buses Slowed by Traffic as King County Focuses on Fleet Turnover – The Urbanist
New report indicates increased food needs in King County – Public Health Insider
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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